You don’t have to get certified to open a sober living home in Massachusetts. However, there are benefits to doing so. Mental Health Association, Springfield, $22,850Grant funding will help fund an in-house recovery specialist for nights and weekends at an affordable sober home for eight men in Springfield. GAAMHA, Gardner, $75,000MassHousing grant funds will help acquire and rehabilitate a four-bedroom sober home for eight residents in Gardner. Evidence that staff and residents model genuineness, empathy, and positive regard.
How MASH Certification Ensures Safe, Supportive Recovery Housing in Massachusetts
- In July 2014, Massachusetts passed legislation that mandates the monitoring and voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes.
- Evidence that supervisors (including top management) create a positive, productive work environment for staff.
- However, there are benefits to doing so.
- Prior to the initial acceptance of any funds, the operator must inform applicants of all fees and charges for which they will be, or could potentially be, responsible.
- Victory Programs, Inc., Boston, $25,000Grant funds will be used for startup costs for the Victory Connector, a new program to provide services for individuals at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard in Boston.
- MASH was formed in 2007 when a group of sober home operators recognized the need for consistent standards and greater accountability within the sober housing community.
Verification that Naloxone is accessible at each location, and appropriate individuals are knowledgeable and trained in its use. Documentation that residents are oriented to emergency procedures. Documentation that emergency contact information is collected from residents. Verification that entertainment or recreational areas and/or furnishings promoting social engagement are provided.
- Policies and procedures that serve the priority population, which at a minimum include persons in recovery from substance use but may also include other demographic criteria.
- As we say often at MASH, “Home is not a place.
- Residents are linked to mutual aid, recovery activities and recovery advocacy opportunities.
Rise Above is led by women for women who are committed to your success in maintaining sobriety.
The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) plays a critical role in supporting individuals in recovery by ensuring access to high-quality sober living environments across Massachusetts. Established in 2007 by a group of sober home operators, MASH was founded to address the need for consistent standards and accountability within mash certified sober homes the sober housing community. In collaboration with the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), MASH has developed certification standards that sober homes must meet to ensure they provide safe, supportive, and structured environments for residents in Massachusetts. Today, MASH oversees more than 180 certified sober homes.
MASH Sober House Directory
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. Instead, Massachusetts contracts that work out to MASH. Steppingstone, Inc., Fall River, $100,000 MassHousing grant funds will help renovate 28 sober housing units for women in Fall River. A significant milestone in MASH’s history occurred in 2011 when the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) was founded. NARR established national standards for recovery residences, which MASH adopted and tailored to meet the specific needs of Massachusetts.
The Center for Community Recovery Innovations, Inc., issues an annual Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit projects for funding. The proposals that are selected need to meet CCRI’s current priorities and eligibility categories. The grants are typically used as one-time gap funding for capital projects that increase or improve the stock of affordable sober housing in Massachusetts. Other proposals that provide services for residents in MassHousing-financed rental housing, specifically those that address alcohol and/or drug abuse or addiction, are also considered for funding. CCRI grant recipients must be 501c3 non-profit organizations and matching funds must be provided. All proposals and applicant qualifications are stringently reviewed and vetted by MassHousing.
Recovery and Housing
- The grants are typically used as one-time gap funding for capital projects that increase or improve the stock of affordable sober housing in Massachusetts.
- In accordance with this requirement, MASH serves as the primary agency for accountability of all certified homes in Massachusetts.
- Vanderburgh Sober Living (VSL) is a network of independently operated recovery homes organized and supported by The Vanderburgh Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation.
What is expected of residents of a sober home? Residents of sober homes are expected to abstain from alcohol and drug use, other than prescribed medications, and to refrain from prescription misuse. Payment terms for sober homes vary, and residents are given written house agreements. 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. Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors shall only be able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug free (ADF) housing.
The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH)
BOSTON – March 20, 2024 – MassHousing has awarded $220,000 in grant funding to help preserve 28 affordable sober housing units and provide supportive services to 385 men, women and families impacted by substance use disorder. The Vanderburgh Foundation, Inc. is proud to work alongside MASH in supporting recovery housing operators. Learn more about becoming a VSL Chartered Operator. It can be very difficult to find funding for sober living home projects in any state, and Massachusetts is no different. However, in 2021, MassHousing awarded over $ to sober living homes, or “substance-free housing units.” MassHousing is a quasi-public affordable housing agency in Massachusetts so its shift in focus to recovery housing is unusual. It’s worth keeping an eye on this agency to see if they’ll make a similar move in the future.
MASH or Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Living is A Great Resource When Starting Your Sober Living Home
Policies and procedures that serve the priority population, which at a minimum include persons in recovery from substance use but may also include other demographic criteria. 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. Policies and procedures regarding collection of resident’s information. At minimum, data collection will protect individual’s identity, be used for continuous quality improvement, be part of day-to-day operations, and regularly reviewed by staff and residents (where appropriate). Prior to the initial acceptance of any funds, the operator must inform applicants of all fees and charges for which they will be responsible.
- Since its inception, MassHousing has provided more than $30 billion for affordable housing.
- A significant milestone in MASH’s history occurred in 2011 when the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) was founded.
- 27.e Documentation that resident and staff engage in community relations and interactions to promote kinship with other recovery communities and goodwill for recovery services.
Center for Community Recovery Innovations (CCRI)
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. MassHousing (The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency) is an independent, quasi-public agency created in 1966 and charged with providing financing for affordable housing in Massachusetts. The Agency raises capital by selling bonds and lends the proceeds to low- and moderate-income homebuyers and homeowners, and to developers who build or preserve affordable and/or mixed-income rental housing.