Nation’s First Model for Permanent Supportive Recovery Housing Breaks Ground in Jackson, MI
Andy’s Place, a 50-unit residential facility developed as part of the Michigan Permanent Recovery Supportive Housing (PRSH) initiative in response to Michigan’s opioid crisis, officially broke ground this week in Jackson. The $13 million project is funded through a public-private partnership that includes investments from Cinnaire, Huntington Bank and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
Andy’s Place and its mission of addressing the opioid epidemic have received bi-partisan support. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Mike Shirkey were among the community leaders and development team speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony with an audience of more than 100 supporters amid a downpour.
“Every one of us confronts addiction, whether it’s personally or through a family member, at some point in our lives,” Whitmer said. “And Andy’s Place is going to be one of those places that change lives and improves them for the better.”
Andy’s Place is the first housing development in Michigan, and the first in the nation using the PRSH initiative model. The program is a collaboration between the Michigan Governor’s office, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the Michigan Treatment Courts and Cinnaire. When it opens next spring, Andy’s Place will address the need for long term safe, affordable housing combined with onsite support services for individuals suffering from opioid addiction. Research has shown that long term safe affordable housing linked to support services has proven to be a successful approach to curb relapse and recidivism rates for opioid addicts.
“This is a first step to fight the opioid crisis. This is the first development of its kind, not only in Michigan, but in the country and it’s right here in Jackson,” said Mark McDaniel, Cinnaire CEO and master of ceremonies at the groundbreaking.
“Michigan is the second highest state for opioid addiction in the country. At Cinnaire, we are committed to changing that,” McDaniel said. Cinnaire has been involved in the initiative since its inception and provided the LIHTC funding to support Andy’s Place. Cinnaire has two additional PSRH projects in the planning stages, one in Grand Rapids and the second in Detroit.
Andy’s Place will offer onsite supportive services including case management and recovery programs funded and managed by the Drug Court and recreational and life skills programs, including financial health and employment classes, sober and wellness activities, and a greenhouse. The Community Action Agency of Jackson will provide job training and employment services through collaboration with local businesses.
“Statistics show time and again that individuals coming out of rehab have a very low chance of success simply because they don’t have a safe home environment to return to,” Senator Shirkey said. “This program, with the concept of providing support services and job training in the facility along with 24/7 security will dramatically increase residents’ success in recovering from opioid addiction.”
Permanent Supportive Recovery Housing (PSRH) provides apartments for families and individuals with onsite social service support. Sobriety is a condition of tenancy. PRSH differs from the sober halfway house model by providing full apartments that allow for families to remain intact, annual leases and no limitations on length of stay. The facility will also include social services offices, meeting rooms for group therapy and AA/NA meetings, computer rooms, and community lounge, dining and meeting spaces. Community Action Agency will provide professional oversight of support services to support the Treatment Court service model.
“Huntington is proud to be a private investor in this project because it is our passion and our purpose to make lives better,” said Tony Banker, community president of Huntington in Jackson. “We want to do our part to build healthy, sustainable neighborhoods with economic opportunity for all. Affordable and safe housing is important to the well-being and health of our friends and neighbors. When we work together, great projects, like Andy’s Place, are made possible.”
On a recent episode of Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast, Judge Harvey Hoffman and Mike Hirst joined Jim Peffley, Cinnaire’s Chief Strategy Officer, to discuss Andy’s Place and how the Permanent Supportive Recovery Housing model can be a long-term solution for addressing opioid addiction in Michigan and across the country. Click here to download the podcast.
