The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is in the process of setting up a community healthcare clinic in Northeast Philadelphia.

Veterans who live in Northeast Philadelphia may soon have a healthcare option closer to home.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has begun the process of establishing its first location in the Northeast.

A spokesman for the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center told the Northeast Times that officials in Washington recently approved the new clinic.

“We’re excited,” Philadelphia VA spokesman Jonathan Hodges said. “It’s a long time coming from what I’m told.”

Officials have not yet decided on a location for the community-based outpatient clinic, Hodges said. He said the center will be a primary care facility that also provides speciality care referrals to the main hospital in University City.

Currently, the VA’s closest community clinic is in Horsham. The agency also operates the “Northeast Philadelphia Vet Center,” which, oddly enough, is in Olney. Another Vet Center is located in Bristol.

“We have always recognized the need for a VA location in the Northeast especially as we work to ensure we can give veterans care not only when they want it but where they want it,” Hodges said in an email.

Hodges said he expects the VA will narrow down a list of potential locations for the new clinic in the spring or early summer. The Philadelphia office is also considering partnering with the University of Pennsylvania on the project, he said. ••