Addiction recovery apartment complex to expand

JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS) – There were nearly 3,000 drug overdoses in Michigan in 2023. Thursday, officials broke ground on the second phase of Andy's Place— where people can live and also receive the help they need.

Andy's Place is an income-based housing program for people in addiction recovery, offering assistance for financial, physical, and psychological wellness.

"So before I moved into Andy's Place, for lack of a better term, I was a raging alcoholic," said James Dean, who used to live at Andy's Place. "Just drunk every day. That's all I cared about was drinking."

After a four-month stay in jail for his third DUI, Dean moved into Andy's Place in November of 2022.

"When we got the keys to our apartment and my wife and I walked in for the first time I had never felt a sense of security ever like that before," said Dean.

Dean was given a second chance in an environment that would be more productive for his recovery.

"There's still a level of accountability here not only because of the rules but because of the community here," said Dean.

Andy's Place does not allow for substance use of any kind and Dean says management will drug test if there's any suspicion of broken rules.

"If somebody falls back, the community is there to pick them back up and say 'You got lost somewhere, get back to who you are,'" said Dean.

In just two years, Dean went from feeling like a failure of a father and husband to living an entirely new life.

"I'm a recovery coach, I'm a business owner, I'm a homeowner, I'm a proud father and husband and my life is great today because of Andy's Place," said Dean.

Dean and his family moved out of Andy's Place and bought a home in April, but he still finds himself there often.

"I still come back here to help as much as possible because I feel like it's important to keep providing hope for new residents that are here and show them what's possible," said Dean.

With his outdoor services business, Dean now mows the lawn at Andy's Place—looking after the place that looked after him.

This second phase of Andy's Place is geared towards supporting expecting families, with more than 20 units on the way to meet the high demand. Officials say the complex is the first of its kind and they hope more states will follow along with similar initiatives.