A city homeless advocacy organization officially opened a new shelter, which focuses on aiding individuals coping with addiction, on Madison’s east side on Thursday.

The new Porchlight Inc. facility, located at 4006 Nakoosa Trail, is a safe haven designed to provide temporary affordable housing and connect people to the resources they need, Beatrice Hadidian, the development director for Porchlight, said. The shelter has been housing individuals since late last year, but held its official grand opening last week, she said.

“The shelter was part of a four-year campaign to really focus on providing permanent housing and supportive services for chronically homeless men and women who are struggling with mental illness and addiction,” Hadidan said. “It provides a positive supportive environment.”

Unlike the other facilities throughout the city operated by Porchlight, this shelter is more for individuals than families, Hadidian said. The shelter has 48 housing units total for single adults, she said. There are 14 units for people in need of a temporary space to stay and where people can take the first step in getting the services they need, she said.

There are an additional 34 units that are low-income housing for people who are chronically homeless, Hadidian said. These units are geared toward people who have been in and out of shelters for years, often because they cannot afford the rent in Madison, she said.

Hadidian added 18 of these units are specifically for a transitional recovery program for people struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. The program connects participants with valuable resources, she said.

“We give people the tools and resources they need to actually make their recovery and be successful,” Hadidian said.

Although there are only 18 units available for the program, most people graduate in less than two years, Hadidian said. The program is able to serve about 30 people every year, she said.

The additional 16 efficiencies are permanent affordable housing available for an average of $300 a month, Hadidian said.

“There is a huge need for affordable housing,” Hadidian said. “It is the right movement toward decreasing homelessness.”

Hadidian said opening the shelter was a community effort. The city provided the land for the shelter at an affordable cost because they realized this was something that was needed for affordable housing and supportive services, she said.

Mayor Paul Soglin attended the grand opening of the new shelter because he appreciates the work Porchlight is doing, Soglin’s spokesperson Katie Crawley said.

“Soglin understands the way to understand homelessness is through housing, not through tents,” Crawley said. “The city, county and organizations like Porchlight can’t do it alone.”

The new shelter is a positive addition because it not only provides necessary housing, but also support groups, recovery resources and other programs, she said.

Hadidian said the shelter has operated at almost full capacity since the first day it opened.

“We don’t try to solve the causes of homelessness, just respond to the situation,” Hadidian said. “It’s provided 48 people homes and I feel really good about that.”