The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, through the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program (SVHCGP), provides financial assistance to states for construction and renovation projects on State Veterans Homes. The SVHCGP funds 65% of construction. The recipient, a state Department of Veterans Affairs or its representative, funds the remaining 35% of the project cost. For the federal regulations which implement the program, please see 38 CFR Part 59. Due to the federal funding, each of the projects is a federal undertaking subject to consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
Through this memorandum, SVHCGP is issuing a program-wide authorization for grant applicants to initiate NHPA consultation with State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) and other parties, pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.2(c)(4). Effective immediately, SVHCGP applicants may consult with SHPOs and other stakeholders to initiate the review process established under 36 CFR 800 and to carry out some of its steps. Specifically, SVHCGP applicants are authorized to gather information to identify and evaluate historic properties, and to work with consulting parties to assess effects. This memorandum is a follow-up to the SVHCGP’s recent notification letter to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP).