Are you a state agency, licensed provider, individual, or family looking for a MASH-certified sober home? Search our directory to find a list of all MASH-certified sober homes. All MASH-certified sober homes follow the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and have been independently inspected.
How MASH Certification Ensures Safe, Supportive Recovery Housing in Massachusetts
Today, we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about opening your sober living home in Massachusetts. Join our sober living community or refer a client, family member, or friend. Submit an application online and receive a call back within 24 hours. Transitional housing is temporary housing for the working homeless population and is set up to transition their residents to permanent housing.
» Certified Sober Homes
You will respect the privacy and personal rights of all residents. You will never become involved with the financial or business affairs of a resident you are serving. This includes borrowing or lending money, buying or selling property, and any other financial transactions. You will work to maintain quality housing that meets or exceeds the quality of its neighborhood. You will demonstrate activities that benefit the home’s neighbors.
Looking For Grants for Your Sober Living Home Startup in Massachusetts?
These standards were developed using a collaborative approach with input from regional and national recovery housing organizations. MASH is an affiliate of NARR and used these standards to create Massachusetts standards for certified sober homes. NARR has since released two updates to the standards, first in October 2015 and then in 2018. The third version mash sober housing of the NARR standards provides more explicit guidance to providers, including metrics for evaluating the peer support components of a residence’s recovery environment. Sober house certification in Massachusetts is managed by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).
Evidence that residents have opportunities to be heard in the governance of the residence; however, decision making remains with the operator. Policies and procedures that keep residents’ records secure, with access limited to authorized staff. A policy and practice documenting that a resident is fully informed regarding refund policies prior to the individual entering into a binding agreement. You will ensure residents are properly oriented to the home’s emergency procedures.
- Beware NIMBY resistance to sober living homes in Massachusetts.
- 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.
- The mission of the MASH is to support individuals in recovery by ensuring access to high-quality sober living environments.
- Legislation in 2014 created voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes, and MASH began managing voluntary statewide sober home certification in 2016.
Presence and participation are required for both days to receive a certificate of attendance which is required for certification. Evidence that staff and residents model genuineness, empathy, and positive regard. Documentation that residents are oriented to emergency procedures. Documentation that emergency contact information is collected from residents. Operator will attest that electrical, mechanical, and structural components of the property are functional and free of fire and safety hazards. Verification that laundry services are accessible to all residents.
- Successful sober homes establish and reinforce healthy lifestyles, provide a safe and stable place to live, conduct meaningful activities, and build relationships and social networks for support.
- The organization’s core values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community, aligning closely with NARR’s principles to foster environments that promote long-term recovery and personal growth.
- Evidence that management supports staff members maintaining self-care.
- 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.
» Training Registrations
Certified sober homes have comfortable spaces for living, sleeping, and engaging with peers, all of which make them valuable and safe spaces for recovery. It can be very difficult to find funding for sober living home projects in any state, and Massachusetts is no different. It’s worth keeping an eye on this agency to see if they’ll make a similar move in the future.
Physical Environment Domain
Policies protecting resident and community privacy and confidentiality. Use of an accounting system which documents all resident financial transactions such as fees, payments and deposits. Prior to the initial acceptance of any funds, the operator must inform applicants of all fees and charges for which they will be responsible.
NARR plays a pivotal role in shaping recovery housing across the United States by setting the national standards that affiliates like MASH implement. NARR’s mission is to improve access to quality recovery residences through these standards, education, and advocacy. 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. Initially, MASH focused on creating a voluntary certification process that would ensure sober homes in Massachusetts provided safe, supportive, and structured environments for individuals in recovery.
- 19.a Verification that emergency numbers, procedures (including overdose and other emergency responses) and evacuation maps are posted in conspicuous locations.
- Policies and procedures regarding collection of resident’s information.
- You will demonstrate activities that benefit the home’s neighbors.
- A significant milestone in MASH’s history occurred in 2011 when the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) was founded.
- Evidence that mechanisms exist for residents to inform and help guide operations and advocate for community-building.
Notably, MASH administers the Fire Sprinkler System Program (FSSP), which provides grants of up to $80,000 per home for the installation of fire sprinkler systems in MASH-certified sober homes. This program is essential for helping homes comply with state and local fire safety codes, thereby ensuring a safe living environment for residents. In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including sober housing).