A vacant county building in Washington County, Tennessee could soon provide a fresh start to homeless veterans in the region.

The Johnson City Housing Authority is looking to lease the former county farm property just outside of Jonesborough.

Washington County has not operated the site as a home the indigent in several years. The building is currently vacant but is fully furnished for 18 to 25 residents.

The new program will specifically target veterans. "Do retraining for the homeless to help them get ready to support their own," says Richard McClain the JCHA executive director. "The farm offers potential. We tossed around ideas of what we could do on the property."

The housing authority is drafting a lease for the property. It must be approved by the county commission.

The goal is to have the program up and running in a few months.