It is https://ecosoberhouse.com/ searchable by name, region, town, zip code and type of service offered. This tool is an invaluable resource to those considering operating in the state because you can use it to better understand the market and identify holes in the state’s offerings. One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is whether to remain a Level II recovery residence or transition toward a licensed program. Suppose a recovery home enforces daily check-ins, random substance tests, curfews, weekly house meetings, but does not offer group therapy, impose clinical assessments, or bill insurers. When your recovery home begins to cross into the territory of offering clinical or therapeutic services, Massachusetts law expects you to be licensed under BSAS. Even if you don’t need a license, obtaining FARR certification builds credibility and opens referral channels from courts, treatment centers, and hospitals.

Recovery residences are classified by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). NARR’s four Levels of Care help define the structure, staffing, and services offered in each sober house, giving operators clarity and helping residents choose the right environment for their recovery journey. Most Massachusetts sober homes operate at Level II, but it’s important to understand the full continuum.

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals in recovery are recognized as persons with disabilities, granting them protection from housing discrimination. Municipalities are generally required to make reasonable accommodations in zoning and land use decisions. Provide structured scheduled, curriculum-driven, and/or otherwise defined support services and life skills development. Job descriptions include staff responsibilities, eligibility, and knowledge, skills and abilities needed to deliver services. Ideally, eligibility to deliver services includes lived experience recovering from substance use disorders and the ability to reflect recovery principles.

How to Open a Sober Living Home in Massachusetts

To confirm whether the residence in question complies with its licensing requirements, you should be able to speak to the local state authority in your area. Today, we’ll look at all of the recent developments in sober living home regulation across the United States – from licensing requirements, to voluntary certifications, referral restrictions. In Part 2, we’ll discuss state funding limitations and local restrictions enforced at the city and county level.

Policies and procedures that comply with applicable confidentiality laws. Policy regarding smoke‐free living environment and/or designated smoking area outside of the residence. Evidence that staff are supported in maintaining appropriate boundaries according to a code of conduct. Evidence that residents’ recovery progress and challenges are recognized and strengths are celebrated. A policy and practice that residents be informed of payments from 3rd party payers for any fees paid on their behalf. A policy and practice documenting that a resident is fully informed regarding refund policies prior to the individual entering into a binding agreement.

Resources

In Methuen, a husband-wife team was harassed by the city with several lengthy requests for code-related information and inspections. This is not usual in Massachusetts, where the broader community is skeptical about recovery housing. Many recovery residences in Florida operate successfully without a DCF license — because they do not provide treatment.

Core Principle: Create a culture of empowerment where residents engage in governance and leadership

The list shall be disseminated to the director of the division of drug rehabilitation and to each state agency or vendor with a statewide contract that provides substance use disorder treatment services. The commissioner of probation shall inform all district and superior court probation officers and the chief justice of the trial court shall inform all district and superior court judges on how to access the list. The list shall also be posted on the website established pursuant to section 18. Chapter 165, Section 37 of the Acts of 2014 required the Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish a process for the voluntary certification of alcohol and drug free (ADF) housing. This legislation limits state agencies and their vendors to referring to certified ADF housing. DPH awarded a contract to the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) to be the certifying body, and the training and technical assistance mash sober housing vendor.

Understanding the Legal Landscape for Recovery Housing in Massachusetts

In July 2014, Bill H.1828 was passed into law mandating the monitoring and voluntary certification of MA Sober Homes. The case is significant in shaping legal protections for sober homes in Massachusetts. Federal laws, including the FHA and ADA, prevent discriminatory housing practices against individuals with disabilities. The FHA prohibits discrimination in housing based on legally protected characteristics like disability, race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.

• The Pilot Program to Help Individuals in Recovery from a Substance Use Disorder Become Stably Housed (Recovery Housing Program), was authorized under Section 8071 of the Support for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act in 2020.
• Most sober homes in Massachusetts operate with 10–25 beds per house, depending on zoning and design.

» Certified Sober Homes

You may not think that such things should be considered when deciding what type of facility to choose for your loved one, but you ought to consider them on your checklist. In addition, some legal practitioners in the field, like attorney Kim Savage, assert that sober-living homes are subject to federal and state privacy protections along with the protections under the FHA and ADA (Savage, 1998). For example, the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects “the right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures” (US Const. amend. IV). Most states also have laws that protect citizens’ rights to not to Oxford House be disturbed in their private affairs or have their homes invaded without legal authority. Ms. Savage has argued that unrelated individuals inhabiting sober-living homes have the right to reside together in a group setting without intervention from the government pursuant to privacy laws at the federal and state levels.

Sober Living Zoning Basics in Massachusetts

Sober living homes have long enjoyed very little in the way of oversight and regulation in the United States – for better and for worse. However, as sober living homes continue to proliferate throughout the country, we’re beginning to see an uptick in regulation in many states. You must attend the MASH Sober Housing 101 Training for Potential Operators before applying. This training provides an overview of operational standards, certification expectations, and regulatory requirements. The key is preparation—having your documentation ready, aligning occupancy agreements with RAFT standards, and staying responsive to RAA requests. With the right approach, RAFT can work smoothly for both operators and residents.

With the right program, financial assistance, and community resources, you’ll be well-equipped to start your path toward lasting wellness. In Massachusetts, medically supervised detox programs provide 24-hour monitoring, medication management, and clinical care tailored to your substance use history. Whether you’re detoxing from opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol, medically assisted protocols can reduce discomfort and minimize complications. Many facilities offer specialized tracks like heroin detox Massachusetts, fentanyl addiction treatment Massachusetts, and benzo detox Massachusetts. In 2024, only 19.3 percent of individuals aged 12 or older who needed substance use treatment received it.

The Best Drug Rehab in Massachusetts for Mental Health Support

Some areas of the country are inundated with a dense number of sober living homes. Sober living homes frequently struggle with good neighbor relationships and NIMBYism. A small number of unethically managed sober living homes continue to engage – either directly or indirectly – in patient brokering. Some regulations come from within the sober living home community itself.