Alabama Set to Open Fifth State Veterans Home; Other Four Have Waiting Lists

A significant project for Alabama veterans that has been in the works for six years is nearing completion.

Alabama’s fifth state veterans home is scheduled to open on September 13 in Enterprise, announced Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis on Tuesday.

The Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home, located near Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker), will accommodate approximately 174 veteran residents.

The construction of the home cost around $115 million, funded by both state and federal resources. The facility will employ over 200 people.

Planning for this new home commenced back in 2018.

Commissioner Davis discussed the new home during a legislative budget hearing on Tuesday.

The other state veterans homes in Alabama all have waiting lists for residency slots, with wait times ranging from about four months to just over a year, according to Brandon Miller, spokesman for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA).

These existing homes are the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City, the Tut Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville, the William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette, and the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City.

These homes provide skilled nursing care. The Pell City home, which is the newest and opened in 2012, also has 80 assisted living units.

Miller mentioned that the ADVA is in the process of hiring a director for the Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home. Once a director is appointed, the home will start accepting applications for residency. Veterans at the other four state veterans homes who wish to transfer to Enterprise will be given priority.

The State Board of Veterans Affairs decided three years ago to name the new home in Enterprise after Bennie G. Adkins, who received the Medal of Honor in 2014 for his heroic actions in Vietnam.

Commissioner Davis noted that a sixth state veterans home is among the major projects being considered by the ADVA. He mentioned that it would most likely be located in west Alabama.