ATS Charts a New Course to Sustain Recovery Support in Traverse City

As Addiction Treatment Services (ATS celebrates 50 years of service in northern Michigan, organization leaders are making strategic changes to ensure the agency can continue serving the community for decades to come. Recently ATS announced plans to sell the six recovery homes it currently operates in Traverse City and pause its Recovery Homes program during this transition. The decision comes as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and address ongoing funding challenges facing the nonprofit.

ATS CEO Paula Lipinski explained that while the recovery homes have historically provided valuable transitional housing for people completing treatment, the cost of maintaining multiple older properties — some dating back to the late 1800s — has become financially burdensome. With ATS owning 11 buildings across town, the upkeep and logistics of scattered facilities strain resources and limit efficiency.

Looking ahead, ATS aims to combine all services under one roof — creating a centralized campus where clients can access everything from outpatient care and medical assisted treatment to withdrawal management and residential programs in one location. The pause in the recovery homes program is a temporary step toward that vision, with properties expected to be marketed for sale over the coming months.

Despite this shift, ATS leaders emphasize that the agency’s commitment to helping people in recovery remains strong. Clients in need of recovery housing are encouraged to reach out to ATS for other support options or explore alternative local resources until the program resumes in a new format.