(The Center Square) – A veterans home under construction in Flagstaff is laying off existing staff.
The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services told The Center Square on Friday about the personnel decision.
“The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services made the difficult decision to lay off staff that worked at the Arizona State Veteran Home in Flagstaff effective Friday, January 26,” the department said in a statement.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the Flagstaff Home has not been able to open for residents yet and because of that, we can no longer maintain current staffing levels,” it added. ADVS has not put out a news release on the major hurdle the project is facing.
Those hoping to live in the facility were able to apply for a spot beginning in August 2023. According to KNAU, construction began on the facility in 2019.
“We are grateful to the Flagstaff community for their continued support throughout this entire process,” Deputy Director of Arizona State Veteran Homes, Kim Trotta, said in a news release at the time. “It has been a long road but we are so excited and thrilled to start accepting applications and welcoming residents.”
“If you know someone or you yourself may need the assistance of 24 hour skilled or long-term care services please reach out to the admissions team and we will be happy to assist you, our Veteran community deserves to be cared for with the utmost dignity and respect,” Trotta continued.
The 10-acre “Medicare-certified” nursing home is sourced from land given by the City of Flagstaff, and it is expected to have 80 beds that would include free internet and cable for residents, according to the ADVS website.
ADVS has other homes for veterans in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, leaving northern Arizona without a location for now. The future of the Flagstaff facility, given the layoffs, is unclear.