He told us that the Central Florida TROA members and staff were making a conscious effort to get know their state and federal legislators and staff members on a personal level. Florida has also been working overtime at bringing new homes on line. The Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land 'O Lakes opened April 25 th this year. In addition, ground was broken on August 19 th for the Pembroke Pines facility as well. They aren't done yet, though.
Site selection is underway for two more similar facilities.
No funding has been appropriated for construction, but when time comes to ask for the money, the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs will already have done most of its homework. In 1991 state legislation authorized the construction of four Southern California Homes in addition to the Yountville facility in the Napa Valley region of Northern California. Well, Barstow opened for residents in1996 and Chula Vista in San Diego County is being staffed as we write with a projected opening in the Spring of 2000. The third facility is designated for construction in the Los Angeles County City of Lancaster, and the fourth is to be built in Ventura County. The spoke-person for the Southern California Veterans Home Project related that the final two would be built and come online in staggered years, probably 2002and 2004 respectively.