William Schma House Groundbreaking in Kalamazoo Brings 48 Affordable Recovery Homes With On-Site Services
*KALAMAZOO, Mich. —* Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined state and local leaders Tuesday to break ground on The William Schma House, a new affordable housing community designed to support long-term recovery for people struggling with substance use disorder.
Originally proposed as Kalrecovery, the development will feature 48 affordable homes with on-site wraparound services including 40 hours per week of recovery support, group and individual therapy, walking trails, and a community garden.
Housing saves lives. It helps people in recovery get back on their feet and stay there, Whitmer said at the ceremony.
The project represents 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 substance use disorder.
State Investment Drives Project Forward
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is investing $2.3 million in opioid settlement funds to support construction and onsite services. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority awarded $1.2 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits annually, generating about $12 million in total investment over 10 years.
Phil Roos, Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, announced that EGLE awarded a $1 million grant to support the affordable housing facility.
With 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.
From Kalrecovery to William Schma House
The project has been planned for eight years and was originally named Kalrecovery. Matt Hollander with Edison Community Partners announced the name change to honor William Schma, who established Kalamazoo County's Drug Treatment Court in 1992.
Schma called it an honor for the apartment building to be named for him, saying that doesn't normally happen until someone dies, Hollander said at the ceremony.
The apartments will feature two and three-bedroom units in the Edison Neighborhood. When complete, The William Schma House will offer wraparound services designed to help residents maintain recovery and rebuild their lives.
Officials Gather for Groundbreaking
Governor Whitmer was joined at the ceremony by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan State Housing Development Authority CEO Amy Hovey, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Director Phillip Roos, Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Chair Jen Strebs, and Kalamazoo Mayor Dave Anderson.
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.
Housing is often the difference between short-term progress and lasting recovery, Hovey said. Using the Housing First model, The William Schma House will remove one of the biggest barriers to stability.
The development connects safe housing with the services people need to succeed, strengthening the continuum of care in Kalamazoo and helping more people sustain long-term recovery.
Source
- Michigan Governor Press Release: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2026/04/14/whitmer-state-and-local-partners-break-ground-on-kalamazoo-recovery-housing
- WMUK News: https://www.wmuk.org/wmuk-news/2026-04-14/governor-whitmer-helps-break-ground-on-affordable-housing-facility-for-recovering
- WKZO News: https://wkzo.com/2026/04/14/915226/