Supportive Housing Apartment Complex

Healing extends beyond contemporary Western medicine and involves a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual approach. Behavioral health services are a vital component of substance abuse treatment, but true recovery also relies on the integration of key cultural elements.

With this in mind, Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin’s Housing and Community Development Agency collaborated with Bodwé Professional Services Group to design a 10-unit, single-story apartment complex. The 14,000-square-foot facility features apartment units, an activity room, a central courtyard, community gathering areas, and a community kitchen, according to ADA and HUD Section 504 requirements.

One design challenge the team faced was making the apartment complex open and welcoming while maintaining one point of entry for security purposes. To address this challenge, a solution was created by designing a large, enclosed courtyard to maintain a sense of community while ensuring site security.

Another challenge involved funding. The client wanted to maximize the number of units while maintaining a reasonable budget. The design team developed a phasing plan that allows the client to include future units while maintaining the desired budget.

Sustainable design elements were incorporated into the design, including clerestory windows that allow heat gain during winter and shade in the summer and energy-efficient MEP systems and appliances.

The confluence of cultural healing, restorative justice, and building community will create a supportive housing environment that puts residents on the path of holistic healing. The supportive housing apartment will provide a multifaceted approach to recovery that sets residents up for long-term success by acknowledging the human-centered path to genuine healing.