Gov. Whitmer, State and Local Partners Break Ground on Kalamazoo Recovery Housing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 14, 2026

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Gov. Whitmer, State and Local Partners Break Ground on Kalamazoo Recovery Housing

Coordinated housing, health and environmental investments make The William Schma House possible

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined state and local leaders and partners to break ground on The William Schma House, a new housing community in Kalamazoo that will provide safe, affordable homes and on-site support for people working to sustain long-term recovery.

The development, originally proposed as Kalrecovery, reflects years of coordination among state agencies, local partners and the private sector to expand access to housing that supports health, stability and opportunity for people with a substance use disorder. When complete, The William Schma House, named after Michigan's first drug treatment court judge, will feature three buildings and offer 48 affordable homes paired with services designed to help residents maintain recovery and rebuild their lives.

"Michigan is making real progress in saving lives and helping people build a future beyond substance use," said Governor Whitmer. "By investing in housing, treatment and recovery supports, we're creating pathways to stability for more Michiganders. The aptly named William Schma House brings those efforts together in one place, connecting safe housing with the services people need to succeed."

Ensuring access to stable housing is a key element of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' strategy to save lives and help Michigan residents recover from substance use disorder. State data shows a more than 35% decrease in overdose deaths since 2023, reflecting sustained investments in prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction.

Stable housing dramatically reduces overdose risk and helps individuals sustain recovery. Projects like The William Schma House are designed to enhance residents' ability to live independently while providing access to the safe, stable environments that are proven to reduce homelessness, decrease justice system involvement and improve treatment engagement and long-term recovery outcomes.

MDHHS is investing $2.3 million in opioid settlement funds in this project to support construction and its ability to offer supportive services.

"Housing is a key part of recovery," said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. "When people have a safe, stable place to live, they are better able to focus on their health, their families and their future. The William Schma House will strengthen the continuum of care in Kalamazoo and help more people sustain long-term recovery."

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) awarded $1.2 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits annually to the project, which will generate about $12 million in total investment over 10 years.

With MSHDA Project-Based Vouchers, residents will pay no more than 30% of their income in rent, removing a key barrier to stability for those referred through local treatment courts and coordinated entry systems.

"Housing is often the difference between short-term progress and lasting recovery," said Amy Hovey, CEO and executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. "Using the Housing First model, The William Schma House will remove one of the biggest barriers people face-access to safe, affordable housing-so residents can focus on sustaining recovery, rebuilding their lives, and moving forward with dignity."

The project also includes significant environmental investment. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy announced a $1 million investment to help clean up the site and prepare it for redevelopment.

"This grant will help ensure that future residents of this supportive community won't have to worry about the environmental damage that came before them," said EGLE Director Phil Roos. "Cleaning up contaminated sites and returning them to productive use creates opportunities for people to live, grow and succeed while strengthening neighborhoods and supporting local economies."

The project also received local county settlement funds, grants from the Kalamazoo County Housing Millage and American Rescue Plan (ARP), and zero-interest loans from the City of Kalamazoo. The City also approved a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement, further supporting the project's long-term viability.

Edison Community Partners is developing The William Schma House on a 6.6-acre site at 333 E. Alcott Street. Integrated Services of Kalamazoo will provide on-site services, connecting residents to care, counseling and recovery support.

"The William Schma House will be a place of hope, with safe, affordable homes where recovery coaches walk alongside residents in a community designed for the daily work of recovery," said Matt Hollander, partner and senior developer at Edison Community Partners. "We're grateful to our state and local partners for aligning housing, health and environmental resources to make this possible."

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2027.

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