Iowa Finance Authority Awards $2.7 Million to Build Permanent Supportive Housing for Addiction Recovery Center in Dubuque
Liberty Recovery Community to Offer Addiction Recovery and Treatment Center and Onsite Affordable Housing
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors recently awarded $2.7 million to nonprofit Manasseh House/Operation Empower to fund the construction of Liberty Recovery Community, an addiction recovery center with permanent supportive housing in Dubuque. The funding was made available through the National Housing Trust Fund program.
“The opioid crisis is a serious concern throughout the country and Iowa is not immune,” said Iowa Finance Authority Interim Executive Director Carolann Jensen. “We’re proud to help make Liberty Recovery Community a reality for Iowans who suffer with substance use disorders. The combination of the specialized treatment facility and permanent supportive housing will promote recovery and save lives.”
The National Housing Trust Fund is an affordable housing production program aimed at increasing and preserving the supply of affordable housing for extremely low-income households, which is defined as households earning no more than 30 percent of the area median income. The program is a federal block grant program administered at the state level and requires a 30-year affordability period.
The Liberty Recovery Community will be comprised of two buildings that will provide recovery care programming for individuals who struggle with substance use disorders and need assistance to maintain long-term sobriety.
The first building, Liberty Recovery and Training Center will provide daily classes, groups, meetings, therapies and critical continued recovery support services. The second building will be Liberty Place Apartments, a new construction project to be located at 2220 White St., with 24 one-bedroom units that will provide safe, affordable permanent housing to individuals trying to overcome substance use disorders.
“This community will be the first of its kind in Iowa,” said Manasseh House/Operation Empower Executive Director Michelle Mihalakis. “Tenants will live with their peers and attend recovery and training onsite at Liberty Recovery Community. Everything will center on recovery, prevention, intervention and reengagement strategies to help prevent relapse and prove that recovery is a reality.”
The Iowa Legislature created the Iowa Finance Authority in 1975 to undertake programs to assist in the attainment of housing for low- and moderate-income Iowans. Since then, the Iowa Finance Authority’s role has grown to include nearly 40 affordable housing, water quality and beginning farmer programs. The Iowa Finance Authority is a self-supporting public agency whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for Iowans.
