The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), in conjunction with partner agencies including Department of Community Health (DCH), Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) and Department of Human Services (DHS), has undertaken an Affordable Assisted Living (AAL) Pilot. AAL developments provide low- to moderate-income senior residents with individual apartments in tandem with supportive services and functional supports; maximizing independence and choice in a physically accessible environment thereby allowing the elderly to age in place.

Five pilot sites have been selected based upon competitive scoring: Grand Rapids (Genesis NPHC); Detroit (United Methodist Retirement Communities); Battle Creek (Wolgast); St. Ignace (Chippewa Luce Mackinac CAA); Grand Haven (Reenders). To date Genesis NPHC’s Grand Rapids site is the first one to have closed a loan with MSHDA and been awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits needed to generate equity. The Grand Rapids AAL development, Heron Manor, is currently under construction.

A Steering Committee comprised of representatives from MSHDA, DCH, OSA, DHS, and our Technical Assistance Provider DYNS, Inc. meets monthly. Its dual goal is to ensure that each pilot site selected builds a successful housing development and defines the parameters of Michigan’s AAL program. A key component of the AAL program is determining the most effective way to ensure needed services are available and affordable to low- to moderate-income seniors. Basic to this is the development of an Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver for services and supports for people who can no longer remain at home but do not require and/ or prefer placement in a nursing facility. The project’s timeline is to have pilots operational in 2009.

• AAL Concept Outline
• AAL Background Information
• AAL Legislative Talking Points
• Michigan's Long-Term Care Connections (MLTCC)
• AAL Forum Presentation
• Housing with Services & Assisted Living in Michigan Presentation
• AAL Stakeholder Presentation - McIntyre