Calls upon Congress to release funds to offset COVID-19 related losses to DMVA's veteran memorial homes, and to fully fund rebuilding two veteran memorial homes.
The resolution underscores the economic damages projected at around $15 million due to various pandemic-related issues, such as staffing shortages, overtime costs for nursing staff, and lost revenue from a halt on new admissions. The pandemic has not just strained operations but also heightened the urgency for safe living conditions in aging facilities, which require immediate renovation. AJR91 aims to ensure that the DMVA can effectively maintain the integrity and safety of the living conditions for its residents under these strenuous circumstances.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 91 (AJR91) seeks to call upon Congress to provide financial assistance to offset the COVID-19 related losses experienced by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) at its veteran memorial homes. These homes, which are located in Paramus, Menlo Park, and Vineland, serve approximately 950 residents, including veterans, their spouses, and families of veterans who have been killed in action. The resolution highlights the significant impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on these facilities, leading to not only infection and loss among residents and staff but also substantial financial hardship for the operation of these homes.
While AJR91 presents a unified call to action for federal funding, the resolution indirectly raises questions regarding the readiness of various governmental bodies to address the longer-term needs of veterans in these memorial homes. The bill may generate discussion on the adequacy of current federal support for veterans' care and housing, particularly in light of the decaying condition of some facilities. The Vineland memorial home, which has been updated in recent years, contrasts starkly with the older facilities in Paramus and Menlo Park, leading to concerns about the fair treatment of all veterans and the state’s responsibilities toward them.