The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services plans to invest $38 million in housing support for Michigan residents recovering from substance abuse disorder. The funding is a part of the allocated Substance Abuse Disorder prevention measures for harm reduction, treatment and recovery services.

The state recently found about 7,500 people left treatment without stable housing. The funding will support about 3,400 recovery housing beds by 2028—a 40% increase.

Michigan will receive $1.8 billion from opioid settlements by the year 2040. Half of the funding will be distributed to the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund while the other half will be distributed to county, city and township governments.  

The Michigan Association of Recovery Residencies survey found that providing recovery housing assistance helped people get and keep a job as part of their road to recovery.  

Additional headlines from Monday, December 8, 2025

Health insurance

There’s about a month left to apply for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding Michigan residents to purchase health insurance by Dec. 15 to have coverage by Jan. 1. People who apply after that by Jan. 15 will not get coverage until Feb. 1.

DIFS Director Anita Fox says people should shop around for the most cost-effective plan with the best coverage. People can visit healthcare.gov or call 800-318-2596 for assistance.  

Loneliness on the rise for adults

A recent study by the American Association of Retired Persons or AARP found loneliness among adults 45 years and older increased to about 40%. That’s a 5% increase since 2018.  

Heather Nawrocki is the Vice President of Fun and Fulfillment for AARP. She says people have fewer friends and their social networks are smaller than they used to be. She says men have higher rates of loneliness compared to women. 

“They’re just not getting out of the house as much. They don’t have as many close friends and they’re not joining community organizations, clubs or pursuing interests with others the same way as perhaps they did before.”  

Nawrocki says the study also found people are volunteering less frequently, leading to less social interaction. 

She says it’s important to check on friends and loved ones to rekindle relationships for social health which also impacts health, happiness, and longevity. 

Film Detroit event

Film Detroit is hosting a free film experience this month.

Attendees will learn how to build video production skills, including how to create trailers and teasers. People will also be able to sing karaoke with the Karaoke Kingz.

They will have access to onsite film resources and permit support. The event takes place Dec. 22 from 5-8 p.m. at the Northwest Activities Center located at 18100 Meyers Rd.

Visit detroitmi.gov/filmdetroit for more information.  

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The thriving Detroit film scene continues to produce fan favorite shows and movies, which can often be found on Tubi and Youtube. The local artists and creators in Detroit continue to do what they can with what they have.

Resources and access to them are limited, but the City of Detroit wants to make a change.

The city is offering a new initiative to support local film creators called Film Detroit. They want to attract actors, production assistants, directors and more while providing them the chance to connect and learn about what the city has to offer.

This Wednesday September 10th, the city is hosting its first Film Detroit outreach session which will include food, music and networking. 

Chantal Cook is the program coordinator for Film Detroit. She joins The Metro to speak more about Detroit’s film community.

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More stories from The Metro

Longtime Detroit businessman, youth advocate and organizer of Metro Detroit Youth Day Ed Deeb has died. He organized the event as a response to deadly confrontations between young people and store owners in the summer of 1980.

In a 2014 interview with WDET’s Pat Batcheller, Deeb says then-Mayor Coleman Young called him and other business leaders into a meeting to address the violence.  

”And he pointed his finger to me and said, he said, ‘Ed, What are you guys going to do next year to prevent this from happening again?’ And I was shocked. He as pointing at me in front of all these people. And I said, ‘Mr. Mayor, are you talking to me or everybody in the room?’ He said, ‘ Well I’m talking to everybody, but I want you to carry the ball’.”

Since then, Metro Detroit Youth Day has become an annual event, drawing thousands of kids to Belle Isle every summer. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources honored Ed Deeb in 2018 by naming a road on the island after him. Deeb died Tuesday at home. He was 89.  

Additional headlines for Thursday, September 4, 2025

Applications open for Neighborhood Beautification program

Detroit also announced the opening of applications for round 6 of the Neighborhood Beautification program. The program provides grants ranging from $500 to $15,000 to block clubs, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to create community gardens, improve public spaces, and launch neighborhood programming.

Film outreach event

City of Detroit’s Media Service Department will be hosting a Film Detroit community outreach event on September 10.

It’s an opportunity to for creatives to get their content broadcast on Detroit’s cable channels, navigate the city’s film permitting process, and network with fellow filmmakers. The event is open to all ages, independent filmmakers, and nonprofit or community groups.

Organizers note that the event is not intended for for-profit businesses looking to promote or sell products. The event will run from 4p.m. to 7p.m. at the A.B. Ford Community Center.  

45 years of Black Reading Month

September is Black Reading Month, a tradition started in Detroit in 1980 by activists wanting to celebrate and support Black authors, Black-owned bookstores, and Black stories.

This year marks the 45th anniversary.

The Charles H Wright Museum is hosting talks from authors and artists on Black history. Detroit Book City in Southfield, a Black-owned bookstore, is hosting “read-in” events throughout the month showcasing new books by Black authors. Or catch the Black Reading Month Bookfair on September 26 from 5p.m. to 9p.m. at Mama Imani Humphrey Hall in the Detroit Food Commons at 8324 Woodward Avenue.  

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