How to Open a Sober Living Home

by Alyson Paige

Sober living homes are supportive transitional environments for individuals preparing to face the
world during recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Opening a sober living home requires a
commitment to providing a compassionate and consistent support system for people in fragile
and vulnerable physical and emotional condition. Sober living homes rely upon peer group
recovery to help individuals gain strength and coping skills in a safe environment. Sober living
networks serve as support systems and quality assurance for sober living homes.

1. Develop a startup business plan. Include information such as company description, service
description, market analysis and strategy. Describe, for example, the type of residence you want
to rent or purchase. Detail how many residents you plan to accommodate at one time. Provide a
list of similar operations in your area, including how long they've operated and what services
they provide in comparison to your plan. Explain how you plan to attract residents, what you'll
charge and what services --- such as substance abuse, job and financial counseling --- you'll
provide. Obtain an IRS Employer Identification Number if you want to start a sober living home.
Gather operating capital.

2. Make a list of overhead costs related to operating a sober living house. Include expenses such
as rent or mortgage, staff, utilities, Internet, cable and groceries. List all you need to furnish and
stock the house for multiple residents. Search for a residence based on your operating budget.
Establish how much you need to charge residents and how long residents will stay in your house.

3. Research zoning laws in your area. Rent or purchase a dwelling, such as a duplex or single-
residence house, in a quiet residential area.

4. Establish your sober living home as male only, female only or combined genders. Invite a
person of the appropriate gender as a house manager to help run the house. Select a person who
has been sober for six months to a year --- contract with that person for an established period.
Decide on a fair salary, which might include free lodging and meals. Select future house
managers from residents who display responsible and supportive characteristics.
5. Develop criteria for residents. Ask yourself how you'll determine if a person should reside in
your house. List the information individuals need to provide as part of the application process,
such as identification, proof of residency in the U.S. and character references. Write a resident
policy handbook, which details residents' rights and responsibilities. Include a zero-tolerance
policy for drugs and alcohol. Provide each resident with a copy of the handbook. Require
signatures attesting that residents agree to the policy terms.

6. Create a filing system for tax purposes. Keep employee, resident, expense and income records
and all receipts for tax time. Consider hiring an accountant or use a tax service.

Things Needed

 Business plan
 Employer Identification Number
 Operating budget
 Housing
 Policy handbook
 Filing system

Tips

 You don't need a license or certification to open a sober living house.

 Sober living homes typically aren't expensive, so that residents have a chance to get on
their financial feet.
 Individuals in recovery may make reliable sober-living home operators as long as they
maintain their programs of recovery.
 Seek local recovery resources, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics
Anonymous. Make meeting attendance mandatory for residents.

Warning

 You may face "not-in-my-backyard" issues from neighbors or community members when
trying to start a sober living home, according to the National Institute on Chemical
Dependency. However, you have Federal Fair Housing laws and the Americans with
Disabilities Act on your side.

References (5)

 Anonymous One; What Is Sober Living?; Scott McCann

 BPlans: Business Plan Help & Small Business Articles; Tim Berry
 U.S. Small Business Administration: Basic Zoning Laws
 National Institute on Chemical Dependency: How to Open a Halfway House
 National Institute on Chemical Dependency: How to Find a Good Quality Halfway
House
Resources (3)

 Rehab International: Sober Living Homes

 IRS.gov: Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
 IRS.gov: Taxpayer Identification Numbers

About the Author

Alyson Paige has a master's degree in canon law and began writing professionally in 1998. Her
articles specialize in culture, business and home and garden, among many other topics.