POST FALLS - Kootenai County has marched one step closer to becoming the site of Idaho's fourth veterans home.

Feasibility study findings were released at a meeting Monday night. Around 50 people attended. The study revealed a need for another Idaho veterans home - and this is likely the best place for it based on need.

"There has been great support from the citizens of North Idaho for this," said David Brasuell, administrator for the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, before the meeting at American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls began.

"North Idaho is patriotic and sees the value of taking care of our veterans. The data suggests the need (for a facility)."

Len Crosby, legislative affairs officer for the Legion in Post Falls, said local proponents who have lobbied for the home for nearly three years are determined to get a facility here.

There are an estimated 18,000 veterans in Kootenai County alone. The facility, which would likely have 96 beds and be built in Post Falls, would serve the entire Idaho Panhandle.

"Our Vietnam and Korean War veterans are at an age where they're going to need this kind of care," Crosby said. "The alternatives are to be admitted (to homes outside the area), which presents a logistical problem for the families."

Other Idaho veterans homes are in Lewiston, Boise and Pocatello.

Brasuell said Lewiston and Pocatello were chosen over Kootenai County cities for a facility 25 years ago because those areas had higher vet populations at the time.

"But boy have things changed," he said.

The study looked at the need for vet facilities in all areas of the state.

Patience will still be a virtue in seeing a local facility become reality - Brasuell estimates it will be four to five years before the next facility is built.

The feasibility study "is just the first step," Brausell said. "It will take the will of the Legislature and desire of elected leaders to move this forward."

Brasuell said the timing for construction will depend on how high Idaho can climb on the priority list of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

"They have a list of projects they fund each year based on need or life safety issues," he said, adding that Idaho is currently in the middle of the pack among all states for the need for more beds.

"Idaho has been progressive as we already have three veterans homes. Some states only have one or two with a much larger vet population."

Brasuell said jockeying for position depends on several factors, including whether land can be secured, legislative will and matching funds can be realized.

"Those will be the challenges the next couple years," he said.

The VA pays 65 percent of the cost for veterans homes, while the states pay 35 percent. The total cost for similar facilities, including both building and land, has been about $20 million.

An approximately 10-acre land donation could help expedite the process. Local officials have been in talks with a local developer on property west of Highway 41, but no announcement has been made.

The Legislature earlier allocated $250,000 toward the feasibility study commissioned by the Idaho Division of Veterans Services.

Last spring, before the study was launched, about 200 people packed a meeting at the American Legion in Post falls concerning the home.

"They had meetings around the state and ours, by far, was the largest in terms of turnout," Crosby said. Other meetings were held in Mountain Home and Boise.

One factor that the Panhandle doesn't have on its side is that there is a veterans home in Spokane, which is within the 50-mile radius states use as a guideline when selecting sites.

However, North Idaho vets are not given preference when applying for that facility, as it is located in Washington.

"Each time a vet home is created, the state takes some responsibility for maintenance and operation of that," Crosby said. "It makes sense for the taxpayers of Washington state to say their vets should take preference over there as we would say in Idaho if there's a home over here."

A final report on the feasibility study will be presented to Gov. Butch Otter and legislators in January.