Curran’s Calling is a nonprofit scholarship foundation dedicated to helping individuals seeking recovery access structured sober living by providing financial assistance. Their scholarships bridge the gap between inpatient treatment and independent living, relieving some of the financial burden placed on individuals and their families. In addition to financial support, Curran’s Calling offers life-skills mentoring and recovery coaching to help recipients rebuild their lives with confidence and stability.
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. Healthcare providers benefit from referring patients to MASH-certified homes because these facilities adhere to national standards that promote patient safety and well-being. Providers can be confident that patients will receive continued support post-treatment. The legal framework governing sober houses in Massachusetts is multifaceted, involving state and local regulations.
- The Fletcher Group is a 501c3 not-for-profit founded to help those in society move from the disease of addiction and the devastation of homelessness to lives of hope, dignity, and fulfillment.
- That’s why our Intake Team is here to guide you through every step—from identifying the right funding options to completing the application process.
- In 2007, eight sober home operators established the nonprofit Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing.
- You must consult with a qualified local attorney and your municipality’s code enforcement office to confirm all requirements at every level of jurisdiction.
- Job descriptions require staff to facilitate access to localcommunity-based resources.
- The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) is involved in several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and safety of sober living environments across the state.
Core Principle: Cultivate the Resident’s Sense of Belonging and Responsibility for Community
In Massachusetts, this type of housing is often referred to as Alcohol- and Drug-Free (ADF) housing. Homes operate under a voluntary certification framework managed by the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS). The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH)—the state’s affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR)—is designated by BSAS as the certifying body. After a successful inspection, MASH will send you a certification invoice. As of July 1, 2024, the total certification fee is $425 ($375 for certification + $50 for the inspection).
The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
Covers market analysis, financial projections, operations, licensing, and funding strategies for recovery residence startups. This guide outlines available grants, scholarships, and financial assistance programs that can help you or a loved one afford the cost of sober living in Massachusetts. Before MASH will certify your sober home, your property must pass a detailed on-site inspection. The inspection verifies that your home complies with MASH standards for safety, governance, peer support, and resident rights. Learn about NARR Recovery Residence Levels of Support, specifically Level II, which applies to the type of sober homes MASH certifies. Make sure your sober home operates in line with Level II support, as defined by NARR.
The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing MASH
If you have marijuana addiction specific needs, please contact the agency that you feel may best be able to help you. Due to limited staff, we will not be able to respond to individual requests for referrals or assistance. Sober homes in Massachusetts follow rigorous safety and operational standards. These include functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, posted emergency procedures, and regular safety drills. Homes must maintain naloxone on-site and enforce clear resident rules covering curfews, meetings, and drug or alcohol screening. A 2025 decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (Bak Realty v. Fitchburg) highlighted that sober homes must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis under local zoning rules.
Zoning and Fair Housing for Recovery Homes in Massachusetts
Their mission is to empower individuals on their recovery journey by offering funding to cover sober house fees and related expenses, ensuring access to safe and supportive housing. The Access to Recovery (ATR) program provides financial assistance to individuals in early recovery who need help covering the cost of sober living in MASH-certified sober houses. Administered by the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), ATR funding helps individuals transition from treatment to stable housing, supporting their journey to long-term recovery and self-sufficiency. Payment terms for drug addiction treatment 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.
Funding Opportunities for Sober Living in Massachusetts
A policy and practice documenting that a resident is fully informed regarding refund policies prior to the individual entering into a binding agreement.3.d. The mission of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is to help make health care accessible to all populations in the state of Massachusetts. The Foundation is based in Boston, was founded in 2001, and became a private foundation in 2006. The Foundation is supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Physical Environment Domain
To find or verify a certified sober living home, explore the MASH directory and Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline. Operators and developers can learn more about certification, funding opportunities, and compliance requirements through BSAS and state housing programs. Verification that written resident’s rights and requirements (e.g. residence rules and grievance process) are posted or otherwise available in common areas.
Project NORTH provides short-term rent assistance for eligible court-involved individuals residing in participating MASH-certified sober homes, administered in partnership with the Trial Court and BSAS. In 2007, eight sober home operators established the nonprofit Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH). Legislation in 2014 created voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes, and MASH began managing voluntary statewide sober home certification in 2016. MASH serves as the primary agency for accountability of all certified homes in Massachusetts. MASH also provides supervision and training for sober homes and maintains a database of more than 180 MASH-certified sober homes. MASH certification is crucial for operating a reputable and successful sober house in Massachusetts.
Certification Overview
The law restricts state referrals to certified homes, reinforcing certification as mash certified sober homes a best practice for safety and accountability. Operators may access funding through MASH-administered grants when available. The state also participates in the HUD Recovery Housing Program (RHP), which supports local initiatives expanding access to recovery housing.
Our women’s sober home is a safe and supportive environment for women in recovery. It is a place where they can feel comfortable and be themselves, surrounded by other women who understand https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the unique challenges they face in their recovery journey. The Faith House Sober Living Communities are multiple sober homes located in Boston.
Certification Application Fee (Non-Refundable)
New Bedford’s sober living community is known for its collaboration and leadership efforts with the city to assist those in recovery looking for sober houses in Lowell, and many private organizations. New Bedford is home to many organizations serving those in recovery, and many of New Bedford’s organizations reach throughout New Bedford with addiction recovery resources. It is a feeling.” Our certified sober homes take pride in offering a home-like environment that supports recovery. Certified sober homes have comfortable spaces for living, sleeping, and engaging with peers, all of which make them valuable and safe spaces for recovery. In 2014, legislation in Massachusetts further validated MASH’s efforts by creating a formal, voluntary certification for sober homes.