Recovery Home Investors: What You Need to Know When Starting a Sober Living House
At Pinkowski Law & Policy Group, LLC, we are very encouraged to see more people desiring to open sober living homes across the U.S. Each month we are approached by an increasing number of people that desire to create safe places to live for those in recovery. We understand the importance of establishing safe spaces and we provide here several key points to consider for those trying to create a better world by helping those in recovery.
Why? We Need More Recovery Residences
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2021, 61 Million people were misusing illicit drugs in 2021. an estimated 19.3 million adults (aged 18 or older) had a substance use disorder in the past year, with 14.5 million having an alcohol use disorder, and 8.1 million having an illicit drug use disorder. Additionally, approximately 10.8 million people misused opioids in the past year.
In addition to the impact substance misuse has on the user’s lives, substance abuse creates issues that ripple outward through families, workplaces, and communities. Perhaps less important than the wreckage that substance abuse creates on individuals, families, and communities, there is also the impact on the economic viability of a community. The annual economic impact in the U.S. due to substance misuse is estimated to be $249 billion for alcohol misuse and $193 billion for illicit drug use.
What You Need To Know When Starting a Sober Living Home
There are several key factors to examine when evaluating a property as a potential sober, living home. These considerations include selecting a safe and accessible location, ensuring compliance with zoning and licensing regulations, assessing the property's size and layout for optimal comfort and community interaction, prioritizing safety and security features, providing appropriate amenities to support a healthy lifestyle, accommodating the needs of individuals with disabilities, balancing communal living with personal privacy, maintaining the property's condition, managing financial aspects, and fostering positive community relations. By thoroughly evaluating these aspects, you can create an environment that nurtures recovery and personal growth for the residents, while demonstrating a commitment to both professionalism and humanitarian values. What are the key points to examine when purchasing a home for a sober living residence.
When purchasing a home for a sober living residence, several key factors should be taken into consideration to ensure that the property is suitable and conducive to recovery.
Here are some key points to examine:
1. Location
Everything starts with location. Choose a location that is in a safe and quiet neighborhood, away from potential triggers and distractions. Ideally, the residence should be close to public transportation, employment opportunities, and support services such as counseling centers, group support meetings, and healthcare facilities.
2. Zoning and Licensing
Readers who follow the Pinkowski Law & Policy Group blogs are aware that zoning is one of the initial hurdles that all group homes must overcome, including sober homes. If the intended use of a property does not satisfy local zoning requirements, even humanitarian efforts to help may come to a halt before there is an opportunity to help anyone. Therefore, it is crucial to research local zoning laws and licensing requirements for sober living residences before purchasing a property. In some areas, specific regulations may restrict the establishment of such facilities.
However, when someone claims that a property cannot be used as intended, it is important to note that federal laws offer protections for residents with disabilities, including substance abuse disorders, to live wherever they choose and finances allow. The Pinkowski Law & Policy Group regularly assists individuals at the intersection of zoning and federal fair housing laws, ensuring that their rights are protected and upheld. In addition to blogs, people that want to open a sober home can find educational material on group home zoning here.
3. Size and Layout
A proper evaluation of a potential purchase for a sober living residence includes an economic analysis. For those truly dedicated to helping individuals recover, it is essential to ensure that the bedrooms and living spaces are adequate to comfortably accommodate the desired number of residents. The desired number of residents is determined by the capacity needed for the property to cover the mortgage, pay expenses, and potentially provide sufficient income to the owner to properly compensate their effort to provide a safe space for recovery. If the property and its economic model suggest that a minimum of seven residents are needed for financial viability, but the property cannot accommodate that number, it will be incapable of fulfilling its intended purpose of assisting individuals in their recovery. Therefore, it is crucial to identify a property that aligns with the economic model.
Once the economic viability of the property is confirmed, other factors can be considered. These include the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and common areas, as well as the overall layout. A well-designed space can foster a sense of community and encourage interaction among residents, further supporting their recovery journey.
4. Safety and Security
An important factor for a recovery residence is safety and security of the residence. This goes to location as well as anything that is interior to the home. If the home is located in the neighborhood which has a large number of restimulating factors - triggers - for recovering addicts, it’s not a good home. Look for a home in a safe community that shields the residents from the triggers that lured them into trouble in the past. Especially if they are also coming out of the prison system.
5. Amenities
Look for a property with amenities that support a healthy and sober lifestyle, such as a well-equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, and outdoor recreational spaces. If the residents are forced to go out into the community for laundromats, or fast food, they are more likely to be near historical triggers.
Additionally, consider the availability of internet access and phone lines for residents to stay connected with their support network. For those coming out of the correctional institutions, Internet use might be monitor by parole officers. While it may be monitor, it is none the less extremely important for connection to jobs and family.
6. Privacy
Although communal living is an essential aspect of sober living residences, it is important to strike a balance between shared spaces and personal privacy. Look for a property that offers private or semi-private bedrooms, allowing residents to have personal space when needed.
7. Maintenance and Upkeep
Assess the property's overall condition and consider the costs associated with maintenance and upkeep. A well-maintained property can contribute to a positive living environment, while a neglected one may actually hinder the recovery process – effectively communicating that the residents are not worthy of anything better.
8. Financial Considerations
Determine a realistic budget for purchasing the property, taking into account ongoing expenses such as mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, and maintenance costs. It's essential to ensure that the financial aspects of the property align with the sober living residence's long-term sustainability. A new sober home inspires hope and optimism among its residents and their families. If the home fails due to misestimations of the time and operational costs, damages more than the property owner. The residents and their families may betrayed, and feel that hope is not possible. And the surrounding community may also develop a poor impression of those that open such homes in the future. Thus, everyone suffers from a poorly planned sober home.
9. Community Relations:
Establishing positive relationships with neighbors and the surrounding community is essential for the success of a sober living residence. Engage with the community to address any concerns and promote understanding and acceptance of the facility and help your residents establish positive interactions with the neighbors. The degree of success sober home residents have with the neighbors also creates a ripple effect that reduces barriers for sober homes elsewhere in the community.
There are numerous legal issues associated with sober living and group homes in general. Nonetheless, most of the issues described here are not legal in nature.
Careful examination of these key points when purchasing a home for a sober living residence, operators can lead to the creation of a supportive, safe, and comfortable environment that fosters recovery and personal growth for its residents.
The information herein is intended to be educational and an introduction to the subject matter presented. Despite any statutory or regulatory references cited in the article above, it is NOT specific legal advice to be relied upon for specific individual circumstances. Contact your own legal professional or reach out to our firm if you would like specific advice on this topic.
Look for additional blog posts on topics of interest to Recovery Home Investors and Group Homes on our website.
We welcome topic suggestions! Write to brian@pinkowskilaw.com if you are curious to learn more about a certain topic impacting group housing concerns.