Gov. Chris Christie on Veterans Haven, Freedom House: 'We need more places like this'

The nonprofit Freedom House substance abuse center will remain open as a partner to a new state facility for homeless veterans, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie confirmed Wednesday morning during a visit to Hunterdon County.

Freedom House will provide services to neighboring Veterans Haven North, the governor announced during a visit to Freedom Houses location on the grounds of the states Sen. Garrett W. Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital in Lebanon Township.

Christie was in the township to reaffirm the states plan to convert Hagedorn into the northern chapter of Veterans Haven, a state program that helps homeless veterans find jobs and homes.

Veterans Haven North is scheduled to begin operating July 1, the day after Christie has said Hagedorn will close to save the state money.

We need more places like this, Christie said after a tour of Freedom House. ... Im happy to see Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital will help people who served our country.

But the governor was non-committal about the future of Hagedorn patients and workers.

People will be placed where they need to be placed, he said of patients at the 288-bed facility. He said the states Department of Human Services will decide how many workers are retained but, We probably will not need all of those employees.

The closing of Hagedorn angered employees and patients' families, and on Wednesday a group of protesters stood on Sanatorium Road near the hospital with signs urging the governor to keep Hagedorn open as a psychiatric hospital.

"It's a better transition than where I was" previously, Pyzik told the governor.

'Totally unacceptable reality'

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Gov. Chris Christie on Veterans Haven, Freedom House: 'We need more places like this'