Governor Whitmer Announces Funding Approved for Andy’s Place II

The site plan of one of two buildings planned for Andy’s Place II.

(January 17, 2023 5:11 PM) Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced funding to build or improve nearly 700 affordable housing units across 17 projects statewide, including one project in Jackson. Overall, the total development cost of projects funded is anticipated to be around $176.6 million and will create over 60 permanent jobs and over 1,100 temporary jobs.  Included in the funding announcement is Andy’s Place II, the next phase of permanent supportive housing that follows the development of Andy’s Place of Jackson.

“As rents and home prices go up across the state, it’s clear that quality, affordable housing is out of reach for far too many Michiganders,” said Governor Whitmer. “We must build more housing, which is what makes this program so important. It’s also why I signed the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan last year, which included the ambitious goal of building or rehabilitating 75,000 housing units within the next five years.”

In Jackson, the funding for Andy’s Place II is $836,500, supporting the construction of 26 new units in two buildings to be located across the parking lot from Andy’s Place, 2104 West Michigan Avenue.  The developers are Milner & Caringella, Inc. and Community Action Agency.  

The development of Andy’s Place and Andy’s Place II was spearheaded by Jackson’s Mike Hirst, owner of Hirst Electric Co.  Following the overdose death of Mike’s son Andy in 2010, Mike Hirst created Andy’s Angels to educate the community on opiate abuse and provide support for families and those suffering addiction.  Andy’s Place, an apartment complex, opened two years ago specifically for residents who are referred by Recovery Court and are on a path toward recovery from addiction.  

Andy’s Place was the first permanent supportive recovery housing project in the country. Now similar namesake projects are planned in Kalamazoo, Southfield, and in Midland, where just last week the Midland City Council approved a conditional use permit for an Andy’s Place with 50 units.

Mike Hirst told JTV News he was elated to hear of the funding announcement.  “This will mean so much to those not in the court system but suffering from substance abuse,” Hirst said. “Many thanks to MSHDA and our elected officials in Lansing. A huge thank you to the people of Jackson that support our foundation and a huge thank you to all of our elected officials on both sides of the aisle for coming together to make this happen.”

Hirst said the focus in one building (11 two-bedroom apartments) will be on pregnant women suffering from substance abuse.  “We want that mother and child to have proper care and a healthy environment,” Hirst said.  “That mother and child deserve a chance to be the people they always wanted to be. The second building will be 15 single-bedroom units for those not in the court system but have been to rehab. If they are doing the work it takes to lead a sober life then we think they should have a chance.”

Hirst said the anticipated completion date of Andy’s Place II is the summer of 2024.

Developers that receive a portion of the $14 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) can claim credits against their tax liability annually for up to 10 years – an important initiative that helps incentivize investments in affordable housing in local communities across the state. This current round of funding will enable the creation or preservation of 683 total rental units.