Massachusetts Sober House Certification and Compliance Guide

Enabling us to provide additional program incentives to our community members. Limited financial support for transportation, clothing, and other essential items related to employment and housing stability. Your mash certified sober homes vision of opening your own sober house is within reach—let’s make it real.

From the Massachusetts Alliance of Sober Housing website:

Their mission is to provide a structured, peer-supported environment where men in early recovery can build lasting independence. Danvers is a prominent city in Massachusetts with a rich network of Sober House facilities. While the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) in Massachusetts is responsible for certifying all addiction treatment programs in the state, it does not certify sober living homes. New Bedford’s care providers are educated and empathetic towards recovering addicts. If approved, ATR funding will be paid directly to the sober house to cover housing costs.

The Willing House

mash certified sober homes

Sober-living guests in New Bedford can access many meetings and support services throughout the city. Applying for ATR funding involves several steps to ensure eligibility and secure financial support. Short-term rental assistance to help individuals establish themselves in recovery housing. ATR focuses on helping individuals overcome barriers to successful reintegration into society by offering support in areas such as housing, employment, and recovery coaching. MASH partners with MassHousing’s CCRI initiative and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) to certify homes and provide technical assistance, ensuring grantees meet high standards.

Vanderburgh Sober Living locations in Worcester, Massachusetts

Most of our community has been through an inpatient rehab program or halfway house and have learned about the disease of addiction and the tools needed in order to stay sober. All community members are subject to random drug screens and daily breathalyzing. We provide the new comer with built in peer-based support, where help and a sense of fellowship, which is much needed in early recovery, can be found. It can be very difficult to find funding for sober living home projects in any state, and Massachusetts is no different.

mash certified sober homes

  • The Sunrise Fund is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals in their journey toward sustained addiction recovery.
  • Residents benefit from shared living spaces, on-site laundry facilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, and spacious yards for outdoor activities.
  • Sober living operators in Worcester offer homes that emphasize accountability, peer support, and daily structure, helping residents navigate the challenges of early recovery.
  • Our homes are smoke free but there are plenty of designated outdoor smoking areas.

MASH-certified sober homes are governed by standards that address safety from an administrative, operational, property, and “good neighbor” perspective. In July 2014, Massachusetts passed legislation that mandates the monitoring and voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes. Recovery in Malden is strengthened heroin addiction by the city’s commitment to offering a variety of resources. These include local support groups, therapy programs, and accessible recovery services, making Malden an ideal setting for those seeking structured support and community connection. Recovery in Danvers is strengthened by the city’s commitment to offering a variety of resources.

mash certified sober homes

RAP Application Process

  • One of its key initiatives is providing Recovery Housing Scholarships, offering financial assistance for sober living arrangements to help individuals transition into a structured, supportive environment.
  • Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, the Zoning Act, allows municipalities to regulate land use through zoning ordinances, affecting where sober houses are located.
  • Their medical and clinical directors guide individuals through an assessment to determine which drug and alcohol treatment fits best.
  • The Union and Harrison Sober Houses feature amenities designed to foster comfortable and recovery-focused living experiences.
  • The homes’ recovery models emphasize peer support, regular house meetings, and adherence to house rules, including curfews and mandatory participation in 12-step meetings.

Verification that written resident’s rights and requirements (e.g. residence rules and grievance process) are posted or otherwise available in common areas. Evidence that some rules are made by the residents that the residents (not the staff) implement. Policy and procedures that ensure all residents are age eighteen or older at time of admission. Written permission from the property owner of record (if the owner is other than the sober home operator) to operate a sober home on the property. Documentation that the owner/operator has current liability coverage and other insurance appropriate to the level of support. Situated in the Lower East Side district in New York, citizenM New York Bowery is minutes away from the nightlife and restaurants of Bowery.

The goal is to remove financial barriers that might otherwise prevent access to a safe and supportive living environment. Funding is specifically allocated for residents living in MASH-certified sober homes, ensuring that participants receive housing that meets high standards of safety and support. Worcester’s sober living landscape is shaped by a diverse group of dedicated operators committed to helping individuals rebuild their lives. These operators include people in long-term recovery, licensed professionals in behavioral health, and local community advocates—all united by a mission to provide safe, structured, and supportive housing. Sober living operators in Worcester offer homes that emphasize accountability, peer support, and daily structure, helping residents navigate the challenges of early recovery. Many homes follow established guidelines and best practices, including curfews, mandatory meetings, and random drug testing, to maintain a stable recovery environment.

Support Our Mission

A significant milestone in MASH’s history occurred in 2011 when the National Alliance for Recovery Residences was founded. NARR established national standards for recovery residences, which MASH adopted and tailored to meet the specific needs of Massachusetts. This alignment with NARR standards helped MASH strengthen its certification process and expand its influence across the state​. Read more about the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), including its history, standards, and impact on recovery housing nationwide. Failure to secure adequate insurance exposes operators to financial liabilities and legal challenges. In the event of a lawsuit or claim, uninsured operators may face substantial expenses, jeopardizing the operation of the sober house and resident well-being.

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