Nebraska’s first combat veterans assisted living facility opens applications

By AI, Created 5:12 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Dunham House in Omaha is taking resident applications ahead of a planned Fall 2026 opening, becoming Nebraska’s first assisted living facility built exclusively for combat-wounded veterans. The nonprofit says the project is designed to give severely wounded veterans long-term housing, specialized care and a peer community built around independence and dignity.

Why it matters: - Dunham House is designed for combat-wounded veterans who often need long-term residential care that standard assisted living centers were not built to provide. - The project aims to fill a gap in Nebraska for younger and middle-aged veterans living with traumatic brain injuries, limb loss and other combat-related disabilities. - The facility is meant to combine housing, care and community in one permanent setting rather than a transitional arrangement.

What happened: - Dunham House is now accepting resident applications ahead of its planned Fall 2026 opening in Omaha, Nebraska. - The facility will be Nebraska’s first assisted living residence built exclusively for combat-wounded veterans. - Veterans can begin the application process through residency information. - Questions about eligibility and applications can be directed to Dr. Joann Schaefer-Haines at drjoann@wwfs.org.

The details: - Dunham House was founded by Executive Director Colonel John D. Folsom, USMCR (Ret.), after he witnessed the long-term challenges facing severely wounded veterans during a visit to Bethesda Naval Hospital. - The facility is named for Corporal Jason L. Dunham, a Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient who died shielding fellow soldiers from a grenade in al Anbar Province, Iraq, in 2004. - The project sits on an 8.5-acre parcel within a 40-acre site in north Omaha. - The neighborhood-center complex totals about 27,000 square feet and is designed to house up to 30 veterans. - Each resident will have a private one-bedroom apartment, with ADA-accessible rooms available for veterans with mobility and accessibility needs. - The facility will include personalized care plans and community gathering spaces. - Dunham House is structured as a permanent veteran residential care community rather than a nursing home or transitional shelter. - The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with EIN 85-2199290.

Between the lines: - The project reflects a growing recognition that veterans with combat-related injuries often need care models tailored to their age, service experience and disability profile. - By pairing assisted living with peer camaraderie, Dunham House is betting that social connection is part of the care plan, not just an extra. - Support from retired military leaders and management partnership with Wounded Warriors Family Support gives the project added credibility in the veteran community. - The nonprofit structure means donations are tax-deductible and tied directly to completing and operating the facility.

What’s next: - Dunham House will continue building toward its Fall 2026 opening in Omaha. - The application process is open now for eligible veterans seeking residency. - The facility will use individualized care planning and on-site programming as residents move in after opening. - Groundbreaking has already taken place, marking the project’s shift from concept to construction.

The bottom line: - Dunham House is trying to create Nebraska’s first permanent assisted living home built specifically for combat-wounded veterans, with care, housing and community all under one roof.