In 2020 alone, 2,684 Michiganders died from opioid-related overdoses – more than any year prior, with a 14 percent increase over 2019. A new initiative launched in the state sees a solution in permanent supportive recovery housing.

Through a unique partnership between recovery advocates, Michigan’s drug courts, and housing leaders, the innovative model known as Andy’s Place has channeled the grief of one family into a solution to address an ongoing crisis affecting communities across the state of Michigan.

Halting the Revolving Door: The Power of Permanent Supportive Recovery Housing

For more than 30 years, the Michigan Drug Treatment Courts have proven to be a successful approach to curbing relapse and recidivism rates for drug and alcohol offenders. Treating addiction as a disease rather than a criminal issue, the courts provide continuous and comprehensive interventions, treatments, and services to help people stay on a path to sustained sobriety with judicial supervision.

During the history of the courts, judges have found one of the biggest obstacles to successful recovery is housing. People in treatment often return to environments they lived in while using, triggering relapse.

“We’ve learned housing is a major issue in the success of recovery for the opiate community. Addicts have a very tight-knit social structure that’s hard to break. Removing them from trigger environments gives their brains a chance to heal and can be very effective in long-term recovery.”

Judge Harvey Hoffman, Michigan Drug Courts

About Andy’s Place:

• Provides safe, quality housing along with supportive services in a supervised environment for 39 individuals and a separate building with 11 two-bedroom apartments for families.
• All residents are referred by the Michigan Drug Treatment Courts, which also provides regular oversight.
• Inspired by a family member who lost a loved one to opioid addiction and now a recovery advocate, Andy’s Place is a first-in-the-nation partnership among the Michigan Governor’s office, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), and Michigan Drug Treatment Courts.
• Located in Jackson, plans are underway to bring this model to other communities in Michigan, including Farmington Hills and Kalamazoo.