The state said the decision was made to generate money for the expansion of community services. By state law, all sale proceeds will be put into a trust fund and used to develop new community housing and other support services.

There is no target date for selling the property. The new work group is set to finish its work this fall.

The work group was created this year by a General Assembly bill sponsored by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, who’s working on a proposal to keep more of the training centers open.

Newman said he’d like to see more locations remain open, perhaps on a reduced scale, to ensure those with the greatest needs can continue receiving the more intensive medical care provided by the training centers.

The families who have been fighting the state’s plans are concerned that group homes and other community facilities can’t provide the same level of care and their loved ones will suffer as a result.

In their letter to the governor, Virginia’s congressmen noted they’ve heard from many families throughout this process.