VA Bedford Healthcare System

Congressman Seth Moulton and Bedford VA Hospital Director Christine Croteau pause for a photo at the Cornerstone Dedication Ceremony for Bedford Green with the Community Partners, local, state, federal and private partners bringing this vision to reality.

The Cornerstone Ceremony on June 29th was an outstanding display of Federal, State, and private partnerships working together to bring a vision to life for homeless Veterans aged 55+.  Bedford VA Director Christine Croteau was quoted saying, ""This today is a great example of how partners in the community, private and federal and state partners, can come together to truly make sure our veterans want for nothing."

You can watch the ceremony courtesy of Bedford TV.  Or on our Facebook page.

On June 29, 2015 Bedford VA officials and its partners dedicated the cornerstone for Bedford Green, a permanent supportive housing community of 70 units that will be home to Veterans ages 55 and up. The furnished, state of the art units will include dishware, utensils and bedding. This project has been four years in the making thus far after the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs selected the Bedford VA campus for the site on Veterans Day in 2011.

When Bedford Green opens its doors in the spring of 2016, the Veterans will have a community room, a group room and a shuttle service that will transport them to and from Bedford where they can run errands, go to the store or the post office. They will have access to extensive VA medical, clinical and support services right on campus.  The new supportive housing community is currently under construction on the beautiful Bedford VA campus overlooking the Patriot Golf Course. It will be staffed by two VA case managers and a residential manager from Peabody Properties, the project developer.

One of the reasons Bedford Green is so welcome is because chronically homeless Veterans are known to be more successful living near or with other Veterans. Having permanent housing in a Veteran community with access to all Bedford VA services provides support to stay off the streets and to find meaningful relationships and community involvement.

Veterans who are 55 and older are likely to be Vietnam era Veterans with all the pain and disillusionment we now know that generation of soldiers faced returning home. Veterans who live at Bedford Green will be able to walk across the street to receive specialized care and support groups for Vietnam era Veterans, PTSD treatment, substance abuse treatment, wellness offerings and primary care tailored to the known health care needs of this generation.

Bedford Green reflects the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs focus to form strategic partnerships with community and non-profit groups to best serve Veterans. It is being realized by a true public private partnership that utilizes federal and state resources though the unparalleled cooperation of all its partners including project developer, Peabody Properties, Windover Construction, LLC and the Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative, Inc. The community will be LEED for Gold and energy star certified and will incorporate Green Building components. New Ecology, Inc., is the project’s LEED consultant.

Bedford Green is a manifestation of Bedford VA’s passion to end Veteran homelessness and is a welcome addition to a strong continuum of services to help homeless Veterans achieve permanent housing. Leadership at Bedford VA is passionate about serving Veterans better than they have ever been served. This new housing community reflects Bedford VA’s respect and reverence for our nation’s heroes and their eagerness to form strategic partnerships that address Veteran needs.

Veterans eligible to live at Bedford Green will be homeless or at risk of homelessness, fall within financial guidelines, be eligible for VA services and enrolled in treatment programs at the Bedford VA to maintain their housing. Priority is given to Veterans 55 years and older.