ESCONDIDO -- Women trying to free themselves from drug and alcohol addictions have a new place to rebuild their lives, thanks to Serenity Village, a drug-free apartment complex that opened Tuesday.

The $3.5 million complex can house 48 women who have recently completed programs at North County Serenity House, the only substance-abuse facility in the county geared for women, The North County Times reported.

Serenity House officials told the newspaper they expect the new complex to help increase the recovery rate of women addicts in their programs. The rate, which now fluctuates between 65 percent and 75 percent, could jump above 90 percent.

"This has been a long time coming," said Serenity House Executive Director Kathy Valenzuela to the newspaper. The house has been planned for six years and under construction since July 2006. "Once of the biggest hurdles for these women is finding a clean, safe and affordable place to stay when they complete the program," Valenzuela said. "It's their last step in returning to self-sufficiency."

Finding affordable housing is especially difficult in San Diego County. And it is crucial for recovering addicts to pay their own rent so they are not reliant on family members, husbands or boyfriends, Valenzuela told the Times.

Women living in Serenity Village will pay 30 percent of their income in rent, thanks to city, state and federal subsidies. A third of the rent will be put in a savings account meant for securing more permanent housing when they leave, the newspaper reported. The maximum stay allowed will be one year.