Recovery Residences

Providing stable housing to help people recover from substance use disorder

People experiencing substance use disorder and their families may require access to safe, supportive recovery housing while they build recovery capital and develop sober living skills. In early recovery, they often have limited financial means, unemployment or unstable employment and limited healthy social support systems, so recovery housing services offer them the time and support to rebuild their lives.

Recovery housing establishes a stable foundation that allows people to focus on their recovery journey. Equally important, the community of people with lived experience residing in the recovery house serves as a powerful catalyst for change. This supportive environment fosters peer support, encourages personal growth, and cultivates the essential skills needed for long-term recovery.

Enhancing Vermont's Recovery Residences

In 2024, the Vermont Legislature enacted Act 163, an act relating to the systemic evaluation of recovery residences and recovery communities. This legislation requires the Vermont Department of Health develop and recommend a certification program for recovery residences and also requires that the Health Department complete an assessment of certified and non-certified recovery residences in Vermont.

We are working with Fletcher Group to inventory recovery residences in Vermont and recommend data collection systems and outcomes measures to best reflect the scope and impact of the services being provided.

Have you been contacted by Fletcher Group?

Vermont recovery residences may receive emails, meeting requests or calls from Fletcher Group as part of this enhancement. This work is being completed with authorization from the Health Department.

For additional information contact us at ahs.vdhdsu@vermont.gov.

Recovery Housing Certification

The Vermont Alliance for Recovery Residences (VTARR) certifies recovery residences based on the national standard for recovery residences (established by the National Association of Recovery Residences (NARR)) which defines the spectrum of recovery housing services and distinguishes levels of support.

To support people in recovery from substance use disorder, VTARR is improving access to recovery residences through established standards, a fair and transparent certification process, community engagement, education and technical assistance.

There are a number of certified recovery residences in Vermont that provide safe, ethical and nurturing housing for people in recovery. Become a certified recovery residence.