 Palmer Pioneers' Home to a State Veterans' Home September 05, 2004
The waiver exempts Alaska from federal requirements that spell out how bed space is apportioned in federally-approved veterans homes and allows the state to continue to use its Pioneers' Home waiting list to prioritize housing for other senior citizens at the facility. The federal legislation was a necessary step in creating a state Veterans' Home while ensuring continued access to the facility by Alaska's Pioneers. "We made a commitment that the conversion of the Palmer Pioneers' Home to a state Veterans' Home would be contingent on our continued ability to serve the Alaska's Pioneers," said Governor Frank H. Murkowski. "The waiver granted by Secretary Principi allows that to happen." Current federal laws affecting veterans' homes require that all non-veteran residents be spouses or former spouses of veterans or Gold Star parents of fallen veterans. Sen. Lisa Murkowski sponsored a bill approved in January that allowed Secretary Principi to grant such a waiver. The Murkowski administration
expects approval of the completed application this fall and the
award of federal funding before the end of the year. The state
is proceeding with design work on a $3.5 million remodeling project
at the home, 65 percent of which will come from federal funds.
Work should be finished in the spring of 2006.
Source of News Release:
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