As we say often at MASH, “Home is not a place. 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. Vanderburgh Sober Living (VSL) is a network of independently operated sober homes organized and supported by The Vanderburgh Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation.
MASH Certified Sober Homes
Written permission from the property owner of record (if the owner is other than the sober home operator) to operate a sober home on the property. We are always accepting applications for residency. Click the button below to learn more about our adult men’s sober community, the criteria for admission, and to apply for residency.
C. Core Principle: Create a culture of empowerment where residents engage in governance and leadership
Amenities include on site laundry, air conditioning, parking, full kitchens, living/dining rooms and quick access to public transportation. Our staff is kind, thoughtful and approachable. Residents are linked to mutual aid, recovery activities and recovery advocacy opportunities. Evidence that mechanisms exist for residents to inform and help guide operations and advocate for community-building. Operator will attest that electrical, mechanical, and structural components of the property are functional and free of fire and safety hazards. Verification that a meeting space is large enough to accommodate all residents.
Recovery Support Domain
Schedule a consultation with VSL. 27.d Documentation that residents are formally linked with the community such as job search, education, family services, health and/or housing programs. Job descriptions include staff responsibilities, eligibility, and knowledge, skills and abilities needed to deliver services.
A significant milestone in MASH’s history occurred in 2011 when the National Alliance for Recovery Residences was founded. NARR established national standards for recovery residences, which MASH adopted and tailored to meet the specific needs of Massachusetts. This alignment with NARR standards helped MASH strengthen its certification process and expand its influence across the state. Barracks 22 offers a safe, sober environment for adult men recovering from alcohol and substance misuse. Residents participate in weekly in-house meetings, random urine screens, and 12-step or other group-format meetings according to the level of support each resident requires. Transition (e.g. entry, phase movement and exit) rituals promote residents’ sense of belonging and confer progressive status and increasing opportunities within the recovery living environment and community.
- Documentation that residents are oriented to emergency procedures.
- Evidence that residents have opportunities to be heard in the governance of the residence; however, decision making remains with the operator.
- A policy and practice that residents be informed of payments from 3rd party payers for any fees paid on their behalf.
- Evidence that some rules are made by the residents that the residents (not the staff) implement.
Standards
Don’t see what you’re looking for or want to know more? Please don’t Halfway house hesitate to contact us. A weekly schedule details recovery support services, events and activities.
- Here are some of the questions we receive about sober housing in Massachusetts.
- 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.
- Are you a state agency, licensed provider, individual, or family looking for a MASH-certified sober home?
- Policies and procedures that keep residents’ records secure, with access limited to authorized staff.
- Evidence that staff are supported in maintaining appropriate boundaries according to a code of conduct.
- Submit an application online and receive a call back within 24 hours.
We regularly inspect all member sober homes to ensure safety, quality, and the building of a community of recovery. MASH is a NARR state affiliate for recovery residences. Additionally, MASH offers funding through its various grant programs to support sober housing initiatives. For example, the organization has facilitated significant investments in the expansion of permanent supportive housing across Massachusetts. Through these grants, MASH addresses critical needs, including helping individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find stable housing.
Evidence that residents have opportunities to be heard in the governance of the residence; however, decision making remains with the operator. 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). A policy and practice that residents be informed of payments from 3rd party payers for any fees paid on their behalf.
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 the sober housing community. Today, MASH mash sober houses oversees more than 180 certified sober homes.