New Visions Shares Updates on Veteran Housing, Suicide Prevention and Homeless Services
Posted October 22, 2026
Posted by Board of Supervisors and Public Relations
New Visions Homeless Services is expanding support for veterans experiencing homelessness while developing new approaches to housing stability and homelessness prevention in the Council Bluffs area.
President and CEO Brandy Wallar shared updates on the organization's programs and recent accomplishments during a presentation to the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, October 20.
One of the most significant developments is the addition of 10 VA-funded transitional housing beds in Council Bluffs through the Bridge Transitional Housing program. The program will provide furnished apartments for veterans experiencing homelessness, including women veterans, with an emphasis on helping participants transition into permanent housing.
Wallar explained that the apartments passed a VA inspection in September and are ready for occupancy, with New Visions awaiting final coordination with the VA before welcoming participants. Veterans will be able to stay in the program for up to two years while working toward housing stability.
New Visions also recently received a Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant, which will support a new peer-based assistance program for veterans. The initiative will include veteran peer support staff available around the clock to help connect veterans experiencing a crisis with local resources and follow-up care. The organization anticipates launching the program in mid-November.
Wallar also discussed efforts to address homelessness throughout the community. During the presentation, she reported that the number of individuals identified through a summer count of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Council Bluffs declined from 236 in 2024 to 157 in 2026. She credited collaboration among local service providers as an important part of that progress.
The organization is also pursuing new strategies to prevent individuals and families from entering emergency shelters when other housing solutions may be available. New Visions recently received a $100,000 innovation award from the Iowa Finance Authority to support a homelessness diversion initiative, with additional support from the Sherwood Foundation.
Throughout the presentation, Wallar emphasized the importance of stable housing, accessible services and community partnerships in helping individuals move toward long-term independence.
Learn more about New Visions Homeless Services: https://www.newvisionshs.org/