The One Eighty organization is addressing the local affordable housing crisis by opening new housing to serve 18 people this summer.
Located in west Davenport, One Eighty offers numerous programs and services to help the community and people facing tough times.
A new apartment complex at 915 Fillmore St., Davenport, will house 14 people, including children. It was purchased and renovated this year with the help of a $606,636 grant received from the Iowa Recovery Housing Fund – one of only three such grants given in Iowa last year. Additional support was provided by local partners including the Regional Development Authority, IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, and an anonymous donor. The total cost of the project is estimated at more than $700,000.
Also, a house at 626 Taylor St. in Davenport – formerly abandoned and acquired by One Eighty from the City of Davenport for $7,000 in 2023 – will house four people. One Eighty raised $65,000 in private donations to renovate the structure. Much of the house was gutted and required extensive foundation, siding, electrical and plumbing work.
Once that was completed, a One Eighty Enterprise remodeling crew – composed of individuals who are learning job skills as they go through One Eighty’s recovery program – installed drywall, flooring, and kitchen/bathroom fixtures, then painted the interior.
All of the new housing units will be occupied by graduates of the year-long One Eighty Recovery Program as they continue their journey to rebuild a thriving life after crisis, poverty and addiction. Some of their children will also live on the premises.
Those in recovery often face barriers to finding safe and affordable housing due to their past criminal records, evictions while in active addiction, and the preference to live in places where nearby neighbors are not actively using alcohol and drugs.
One Eighty Stability housing can serve 61 people in 11 different buildings as graduates rebuild a sober and purposeful life. By charging a low fee of $375 per month per individual, graduates are able to live in a positive community with accountability while pursuing their financial goals such as paying off debts/court fines or saving to purchase a car.
Ryan Harris is a One Eighty graduate who supervises all One Eighty Stability Homes and tenants. Now two years sober at age 35, he remembers what it was like to be in active addiction and without a reliable place to live.
“One Eighty Stability Homes help people stay sober because there is an entire support system for them – brothers and sisters who walk the recovery road together,” Mr. Harris explained. “By providing an option for people to stay in Stability Housing for as long as they need, we are giving people a second chance at life. We see graduates getting custody back of their kids, building their credit and buying their own homes. It’s a stepping stone to full independence.”
The apartment building will be certified by the National Association of Recovery Residences (NARR) which sets quality standards for recovery housing. Each apartment features two bedrooms, a living area, eat-in kitchen, bathroom and garage. The building also includes a dedicated community space that facilitates healthy relationships between the residents as they lean on each other for support in maintaining their sobriety and pursuing new goals.
According to data shared Friday, April 4, at the Quad Cities Rooting Out Poverty Conference, hosted by Project NOW, the Quad Cities is in an affordable housing crisis — short 7,400 units
of affordable housing versus the current demand. In addition, 375 households are on the Coordinated Entry List, meaning they are without consistent housing.
One Eighty equips people to find freedom from crisis, poverty and addiction through its year- long residential recovery program, sober housing, and youth outreaches. Last year, One Eighty helped 117 people in recovery land a new job, sheltered 40 recently homeless individuals, and saved $10.1 million in taxpayer dollars through judicial partnerships.
The organization provides housing, basic needs, career training, mentorship, life skills and spiritual formation to about 200 people seeking to change their lives every year. Individuals graduate the program with 12 months of sobriety, gainful employment, financial independence, and a support system to live more stable, productive lives. Learn more at www.oneeighty.org.
