MASH Frequently Asked Questions

BS degree in Economics from Suffolk University. Denise Donovan is an assistant clerk magistrate at the Boston Municipal Court Department’s Central Division. She began working at the Boston Municipal Court in the Probation Department in 1994. Denise has a bachelor’s degree in Legal Practice in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a master’s certificate in Woman in Politics and Government from the University of Massachusetts Boston. In 2010, Denise graduated from Massachusetts School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar. Denise is passionate about helping people in recovery in both her professional career and her personal life.

• 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.
• A policy and practice that residents be informed of payments from 3rd party payers for any fees paid on their behalf.
• He graduated from New York University’s Stern School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting.
• Interested in becoming a sober house resident?
• Certified sober homes have comfortable spaces for living, sleeping, and engaging with peers, all of which make them valuable and safe spaces for recovery.

MassHousing in 2023 Awarded $679,837 for Affordable Sober Housing in Massachusetts

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. Through our network of certified sober housing and empirically based recovery principles, MASH’s goal is to help create and foster these safe living environments for those with substance use disorders. Massachusetts offers many sober living homes and recovery residences for those in recovery from addiction. Throughout Massachusetts you will certified and structured sober living for both men and women in recovery.

Vanderburgh House Locations in Massachusetts

He graduated from New York University’s Stern School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting. Jeff’s involvement with MASH began when he founded the Garnet Recovery Community in Quincy, a 21-bed men’s sober house. He has served on the MASH board since 2016 as treasurer and president.

• Noel Dennis is the owner-operator of Men of Dignity Sober Living, LLC, which provides sober housing for women and men throughout various communities in Massachusetts.
• North Star Family Services, Leominster, $125,000Grant funds will help create 14 units of affordable supportive housing for families in Leominster.
• In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including sober housing).

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches New Program to Support Redevelopment of Commercial Properties into Housing

BOSTON – November 17, 2022 – MassHousing has awarded a total of $143,332 in grant funding to help preserve 22 affordable sober housing units and provide supportive services to men, women, and children impacted by substance misuse. Vanderburgh House, a supporter of Sober House Directory, builds sober home communities where residents are supported in their recovery journeys. Vanderburgh House sees a world where every person in recovery has access to a supportive, healthy, and safe home environment built on respect, focused on recovery, and lead by peers. Residents live together as a family to develop the tools and strengthen their character in order to live free from substance abuse. These homes allow for independence while guided by a set of recovery-focused house rules, standards, and expectations.

• Recovery residences —formerly known as halfway houses — are licensed residential treatment programs, while Massachusetts sober homes are peer-led and do not provide treatment.
• For more information, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
• Prior to the initial acceptance of any funds, the operator must inform applicants of all fees and charges for which they will be responsible.
• Everyone in recovery has the right to safe and livable housing in Massachusetts, whether you are looking to rent or own, or to live in certified sober housing.
• Dismas House of Massachusetts, Inc., Worcester, $25,000 Grant funds will help support the creation of three fellowship positions for live-in, supportive staff at Dismas Family Farm, a sober housing campus and working farm in Oakham.

Physical Environment Domain

In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including sober housing). 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. 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. BOSTON – March 20, 2024 – MassHousing has awarded $220,000 in grant funding to help preserve 28 affordable sober housing units and provide supportive services to 385 men, women and families impacted by substance use disorder.

MASH Sober House Directory

Evidence that staff are supported in maintaining appropriate boundaries according to a code of conduct. Evidence that management supports staff members maintaining self-care. Verification that written resident’s rights and requirements (e.g. residence rules and grievance process) are posted or otherwise available in common areas.

Our homes and their atmospheres are nurtured by the guests they provide for. Sober house certification is an important factor to consider as you look for sober living. Massachusetts sober houses are certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing, or MASH. South Middlesex Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Worcester, $14,750MassHousing grant funds will help rehabilitate 19 single-room occupancy units of affordable sober housing for women at Pax House in Worcester. Ethel Rose House of Refuge, New Bedford, $75,000Grant funds will support an expansion to create four new sober housing units for women in New Bedford.

Our programs

Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation, Boston, $75,000Grant funds will help create 14 new affordable sober housing units for individuals in advanced recovery in Allston. “People in recovery from substance use have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and these CCRI grants will positively impact those working to overcome addiction,” said MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay. “MassHousing is pleased to provide this resource for sober housing for men, women, families and senior citizens in communities across the Commonwealth.”

• Massachusetts boasts one of the best recovery environments in the United States, and certainly one of the strongest sober living communities in New England.
• MASH-certified sober homes are governed by standards that address safety from an administrative, operational, property, and “good neighbor” perspective.
• These standards ensure that sober homes provide safe, structured, and supportive environments crucial for long-term recovery.

About CCRI

Written permission from the property owner of record (if the owner is other than the sober home operator) to operate a sober home on mash certified sober homes the property. Documentation that the owner/operator has current liability coverage and other insurance appropriate to the level of support. If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile.