State opioid funds bring 10 new recovery beds to Ottawa County

HOLLAND — Ottawa County will gain vital support for residents navigating substance use recovery as part of a $3.4 million statewide push funded by Michigan’s national opioid settlement dollars.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, announced grants to 18 organizations across 14 counties through the Recovery Housing Investment Program.

Among the recipients is Holland-based Building Men for Life, which was awarded funding to add 10 new recovery beds in Ottawa County.

The local allocation directly addresses a critical gap in the addiction recovery pipeline: securing safe, stable housing where individuals can rebuild their lives after treatment.

“Recovery housing gives people the stability they need to heal, rebuild and continue moving forward,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, state chief medical executive and chair of the Michigan Opioids Task Force. “Housing is more than a roof. It’s a foundation for long-term wellness, employment, connection and community participation.”

The statewide initiative will fund 24 new recovery residences and an estimated 205 beds overall. The program aims to help individuals maintain sobriety by surrounding them with supportive community environments and structure.
Amy Hovey, MSHDA CEO and executive director, emphasized that stable housing serves as a cornerstone for personal independence and family reunification.

“Recovery is about more than overcoming addiction. It’s about having the stability and support to rebuild your life and reconnect with the people and communities that matter most,” Hovey said. “By expanding access to recovery housing, we’re helping more Michiganders find a safe place to heal, regain their independence and build a healthier future.”

One resident who previously benefited from state-supported recovery housing reflected on how a stable living environment transformed his life and restored his family:

“The biggest impact has been on my relationship with my 13-year-old daughter. There was a time when that relationship was at risk because of my addiction. Today, it is as strong as it has ever been. I am present, consistent and someone she can trust. ... That would not be possible without the stability this recovery residence has given me.”

The latest round of funding is part of a broader effort by MDHHS to direct opioid settlement revenue toward grassroots resources. In recent months, the state has awarded more than $12 million in settlement money to over 50 community organizations providing recovery housing and local support services.

Michigan is expected to receive more than $1.8 billion from national opioid litigation settlements through 2040. Half of those funds flow into the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund, while the remaining half is distributed directly to county, city, and township governments to combat the ongoing addiction crisis locally.

West Michigan grant recipients

County puts funds toward recovery, courts

Over the next two decades, Ottawa County is deploying millions of dollars in direct local payouts from national opioid settlements to strengthen community recovery networks, bolster specialized court programs, and expand public health outreach.

Administered through decisions by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners and the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, the county’s local settlement strategy focuses on bridging gaps between clinical addiction treatment, peer recovery, and the justice system.

Support for local recovery networks

A significant portion of Ottawa County’s local settlement allocation provides direct grant support to community nonprofits serving residents impacted by substance use disorder. Key local partners receiving funding include:

• Fresh Coast Alliance: Expanding peer support coaching, reentry services, and job placement for individuals navigating long-term recovery.
• Arbor Circle: Funding clinical substance use treatment, outpatient counseling, and family-centered behavioral health services.
• Life Align: Supporting local recovery housing initiatives and long-term stabilization programs.
• Grand Rapids Red Project: Providing overdose prevention resources, including widespread distribution of Naloxone (Narcan) and harm reduction outreach across Ottawa County.

Court diversion, justice interventions

To address the intersection of addiction and the legal system, settlement dollars directly fund diversion and support programs within the local judiciary.

Funds are directed to the 58th District Court and county specialty courts to cover non-violent offender diversion, drug testing, dedicated legal representation and recovery-focused probation monitoring.

Additionally, settlement funds support behavioral health screenings and treatment coordination for individuals within the Ottawa County Jail system, helping inmates connect with community-based resources prior to release.

At the county level, the money also helps to fund dedicated substance use disorder navigators and health educators who coordinate prevention efforts across local schools, healthcare providers, and civic groups.

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