Do I need a license to open a sober living home in Massachusetts?
+
No. Massachusetts has no state license for sober homes, and certification is voluntary under M.G.L. c.17, s.18A. Uncertified homes may legally operate and advertise. But state agencies, statewide treatment vendors, courts, probation and parole may refer people only to certified homes, and local building, occupancy, fire and sanitation codes apply either way.
How do I get a sober home certified in Massachusetts?
+
Apply to the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH). Attend its Sober Housing 101 training, submit the online application with proof of ownership or a lease and a municipal lien certificate showing no tax liens, and pass a home inspection, which MASH schedules after your documents are accepted.
How much does sober home certification cost in Massachusetts?
+
The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) lists an annual certification fee of $425: $375 for certification plus $50 for the inspection. Certification is renewed every year, and adding beds requires another inspection.
Can state agencies and courts refer residents to uncertified sober homes in Massachusetts?
+
No. Under M.G.L. c.17, s.18A, state agencies, vendors with statewide substance use treatment contracts, and agencies that set release, parole or discharge terms, including courts and probation, may refer a person only to certified alcohol and drug free housing.
Can a Massachusetts town use zoning to keep a sober home out?
+
The federal Fair Housing Act bars local governments from using zoning or land-use rules to exclude housing for people with disabilities, including people in recovery. Homes still have to follow neutral building, occupancy, fire and sanitation codes. Housing discrimination complaints can go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
How do I list my sober home in this guide for free?
+
Request a free listing. You choose what it shows, such as who the home serves and its certifications. The street address is shown only if you want it to be. Listing never requires ARKHE software.
How do I find a certified sober home in Massachusetts?
+
Search the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) directory of certified sober homes. Certified homes follow standards based on the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standard and have been independently inspected. Oxford House also lists open beds in its self-run recovery homes.
What's the difference between a sober home and a halfway house in Massachusetts?
+
Massachusetts law calls a sober home "alcohol and drug free housing": a residence that provides or advertises an alcohol- and drug-free environment for people recovering from substance use disorders. Halfway houses, treatment units and detox facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health are not sober homes under that law.
How do I file a complaint about a sober home in Massachusetts?
+
For a home certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), file a grievance with MASH within 30 days of when you became aware of the problem. MASH handles grievances for certified homes only. The state's Bureau of Substance Addiction Services can remove a home from the certified list based on the number and seriousness of complaints. Housing discrimination complaints can go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Can a court or probation officer send me to any sober home in Massachusetts?
+
No. Massachusetts law lets courts, probation, parole and state agencies refer people only to certified alcohol and drug free housing. You can still choose an uncertified home on your own, since uncertified homes may legally operate.
What should I ask a sober home before moving in?
+
Ask about rent and what it includes, house rules, the drug testing policy, whether medication for addiction treatment is allowed, and whether the home is certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH). Certification standards include fair rent-setting and collection practices.