Who is Michelle Ngila?

Michelle Ngila is a real estate investor who immigrated from Kenya and built a mission-aligned property portfolio in New England. She focuses on community housing models that support recovery and social impact.

What challenges did Michelle face in investing in recovery housing?

Michelle initially struggled with entering a competitive market and understanding the complexities of group living, compliance, tenant sourcing, and certification processes.

How did VSL help Michelle build her recovery housing portfolio?

VSL supported Michelle through strategic planning, real estate acquisition, financing, operator onboarding, and compliance. Their partnership transformed a complex investment into a repeatable, scalable model.

What kind of impact has Michelle's recovery housing portfolio made?

Michelle's homes now house hundreds of individuals annually, offering safe, structured living environments. Her portfolio delivers social impact, reliable cash flow, and positive recognition as a community-focused developer.

Can other investors replicate Michelle’s model?

Yes. VSL offers a repeatable blueprint for mission-aligned real estate development, including joint ventures, operator support, and an eventual charitable exit strategy. Interested investors can partner with VSL to launch their own recovery housing portfolios.

Case Study: Michelle Ngila — Community Impact Through Real Estate with VSL

How Michelle Turned Purpose Into Portfolio Growth with a Mission-Aligned Real Estate Strategy

Michelle Ngila immigrated to the United States from Kenya with a dream to make a difference. After beginning her real estate journey in 2020, she quickly realized her passion wasn’t just in traditional investment strategies — she was drawn to impact real estate, a model that combined financial return with social good. Living in New England, Michelle saw firsthand the growing need for quality housing options that support individuals in recovery and other vulnerable populations. She was determined to do something about it.

Michelle’s Primary Challenge

As a new investor, Michelle faced a common dilemma: competing with more established developers in crowded markets with limited access to differentiated projects. She was looking for a way to stand out — a strategy that could offer strong returns while aligning with her values of community upliftment and service.

But investing in group living and community housing came with unique challenges: operational complexity, compliance with recovery housing standards, sourcing reliable tenants, and navigating the certification process. Michelle needed a partner.

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Learn how sober living compares to other rental models and why it’s a smart real estate strategy.

👉 Read the full guide: Invest in Recovery Housing with VSL

Solution: A Step-By-Step Partnership with VSL

Michelle discovered Vanderburgh Sober Living (VSL), a national organization specializing in structured recovery residences. Through their platform, VSL offers training, support services, and a turnkey model for real estate investors looking to enter the recovery housing space. Michelle’s success in recovery housing real estate was made possible through this strategic, hands-on partnership with VSL — one that turned a complex, specialized asset class into a scalable, mission-driven portfolio. The process unfolded in several key phases:

1. Strategic Planning

VSL began by working closely with Michelle to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for entering the recovery housing space. With this foundation, Michelle was equipped to approach the space with confidence and clarity. This included:

Understanding the regulatory and operational landscape

Identifying key opportunities for impact in New England

Anticipating common challenges, such as compliance, financing, and operator readiness

2. Real Estate Sourcing and Due Diligence

VSL then partnered with Michelle to identify real estate assets well-suited for recovery housing. Together, they:

Developed and executed an overall acquisition plan

Evaluated properties based on location, layout, zoning, and proximity to recovery support infrastructure

Conducted detailed financial modeling and due diligence

Created renovation scopes aligned with certification requirements

3. Financing and Capital Stack Solutions

As Michelle’s portfolio expanded, VSL played a key role in structuring the capital stack for each project. VSL’s ability to align funding sources with mission-driven real estate goals enabled Michelle to scale her portfolio across multiple states. This included:

Arranging acquisition and construction financing

Coordinating development draws and compliance reporting

Supporting permanent financing as properties stabilized

4. Operator Identification and Onboarding

Once properties were acquired and redeveloped, VSL led the effort to ensure successful tenancy. VSL:

Conducted outreach and screening to find qualified recovery home operators

Matched each property with a mission-aligned operator ready to assume responsibility for day-to-day operations

Provided onboarding, training, and access to software and support services through the VSL Charter platform

Most of the original operators identified by VSL continue to manage Michelle’s homes today, demonstrating the long-term stability of this collaborative approach.

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Michelle’s Community Impact

In just a few years, Michelle grew this impact portion of her real estate portfolio to over 14 properties, each dedicated to providing structured community housing.

These homes serve as recovery residences, transitional housing, and other mission-aligned uses — providing safe, stable environments for individuals in need.

Social Return: Michelle’s properties now house hundreds of residents annually, helping them on their recovery journeys and contributing to neighborhood stability.

Financial Return: Her portfolio is not only cash-flow positive, but insulated from the volatility of conventional markets. Long-term leases with vetted tenants have created reliable income streams.

Reputational Capital: Michelle is now seen as a community-minded developer in her region, opening doors to new partnerships, philanthropic capital, and favorable financing.

The Model: A Repeatable Blueprint

Michelle’s success reflects a broader model that VSL is offering to mission-aligned real estate developers:

Joint Venture: Co-branded investment fund with the developer and VSL as co-GPs
Shared Roles: VSL leads on certification, operator onboarding, and tenancy; the developer leads acquisition, financing, and property management
De-Risked Investment: Master lease options and guaranteed tenant onboarding provide investor confidence
Exit Strategy: Long-term option for VSL to purchase properties for continued charitable use, offering potential tax benefits and preserving community impact

Looking Forward

Michelle continues to acquire properties and expand her impact. She’s exploring options to structure a fund of her own — with VSL as a co-sponsor — allowing other investors to participate in this mission-driven model.