New Visions partners with VA on transitional housing for veterans in Council Bluffs

New Visions Homeless Services in Council Bluffs, Iowa, has partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide transitional housing for veterans. The initiative includes 10 apartments designed to offer stability and dignity to veterans as they work toward permanent housing. The organization plans to move veterans into the units as soon as next week.

Veterans comprise about 5% of the overall homeless population and 20% of the unsheltered men population, according to VA data. Suicide rates among homeless veterans are 146% higher than among other veterans, highlighting the urgent need for support programs like this one.

Michael Pitt, a Navy veteran who currently works in technology and the cafeteria at Iowa Western, is among those who may soon move into one of the new apartments. He has been struggling to save enough for his own apartment and has been staying in a dormitory bunk at New Visions. “I haven’t been able to get an apartment yet,” he said. “I’m saving up for it, but I haven’t been able to do it yet.”

Pitt’s experience reflects the challenges many veterans face after returning from service. Despite serving his country for six years, he has found it difficult to support himself. He expressed hope that the new housing will provide a fresh start.

Brandy Wallar, CEO of New Visions Homeless Services, emphasized the program’s goal of restoring dignity to veterans. “This opens up an opportunity where our veterans are able to stay in our own backyard and give them a place where they can have dignity until we can get them back into permanent, supportive housing,” she said. Wallar noted that many veterans are proud individuals, and the organization has found several who had not previously disclosed their service.

The program includes one apartment specifically for female veterans, a need that became evident through New Visions’ street outreach efforts since 2022. Wallar shared that female veterans were found living in cars in Walmart parking lots and in tents behind the organization’s campus.

While the VA grant covers most of the program’s costs, Wallar said community donations are still needed to fully support the initiative. The organization continues to seek contributions to ensure the program can meet the needs of all veterans.

Pitt looks forward to the prospect of having his own space, expressing gratitude for the opportunity. “I served my country and, you know, it’s coming back now,” he said. His words reflect the hope and resilience of many veterans who are working toward a better future.

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