WASHINGTON (Jan. 5, 2004) - Expensive hotels and cramped couches will soon be a faded memory for families of veterans being treated for long-term illnesses at the Houston Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center when the largest "Fisher House" opens next fall.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi accepted an offer from the Fisher House Foundation to build a 21-suite facility on the Houston VA campus in November. Fisher Houses provide temporary lodging to families of hospitalized VA patients.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Houston's Fisher House is planned for Jan.16, and is scheduled to include Principi and former President George H. W. Bush. The former president is honorary chair for the fund-raising effort.

"This is a tremendous example of community members and VA working together to support veterans and their families," Principi said. "This generous gift from the Fisher House Foundation will improve the quality of life for veterans and their families during a stressful period."

The Houston VA Medical Center (VAMC) Fisher House is the seventh donated to VA by the Fisher House Foundation. It will house families of veterans while their loved ones receive medical treatment from the VA for unexpected or long-term illnesses, disease or injury.

Veterans from around the country are referred to the Houston VAMC for specialized diagnostic care, radiation therapy, surgery and medical treatment such as cardiovascular surgery, ophthalmology care and treatment of spinal cord injuries and diseases.

The new Fisher House will include guest suites with private baths, communal kitchen, living and dining rooms, a library, a family room and a manager's office.

Normally, each Fisher House has eight to 11 suites. However, the Houston VAMC's current 35 courtesy guest quarters cannot accommodate all the veterans' families who want to stay near their loved ones during lengthy medical treatments. The Houston facility had more than 557,300 outpatient visits last year and about 10,000 inpatient admissions.

Fisher Houses are built privately and given to the government as a gift through the Fisher House Foundation, Inc. The program began in 1990.

"The house will serve as a tangible symbol of America's gratitude to its veterans, recognizing their service and sacrifice," said Kenneth Fisher, chairman of Fisher House Foundation and grand-nephew of founder Zachary Fisher.

On receipt of the Fisher House, VA takes over management and maintenance of the facility. Other Fisher Houses are located in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New York and Ohio, and four homes are being considered in California, New York, Texas and Washington.

Richard E. Wainerdi, president of Texas Medical Center, led a fund-raising effort that collected more than $1 million, which will be matched by the Fisher Foundation for construction expenses.

Major foundations, corporations, local businesses, veterans' service organizations, individuals, and federal and state lawmakers were quick to respond with support, including a local furniture store that pledged to donate all of the furnishings for the home, said Edgar L. Tucker, medical center director of the Houston VA Medical Center.