As of 2023, MASH oversees over 180 certified sober homes in the state, providing essential oversight and support to ensure these homes meet rigorous safety and ethical standards MASH – Standards. Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) serves as the primary agency for accountability of all certified homes in Massachusetts. Our organization also provides supervision and training for sober homes, and maintains a database of more than 180 MASH-certified sober homes.MASH’s recovery values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community. 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.
What is Recovery? What is Treatment?
The goal is to remove financial barriers that might otherwise prevent access to a safe and supportive living environment. Funding is specifically allocated for residents living in MASH-certified sober homes, ensuring that participants receive housing that meets high standards of safety and support. The mission of the MASH is to support individuals in recovery by ensuring access to high-quality sober living environments. MASH is dedicated to promoting the health, safety, and well-being of residents through rigorous certification standards that align with the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. These standards ensure that sober homes provide safe, structured, and supportive environments crucial for mash housing long-term recovery.
Your Guide to Certifying a Sober House in 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.
- Many patients leave treatment facilities with no employment waiting for them when they return.
- However, the owners of these transitional homes also form associations to set minimum standards for member homes across the state.
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). Payment of the MASH Certification Fee is required prior to your initial certification. VSL Chartered Operators receive mock inspection templates, pre-inspection checklists, and coaching to ensure they’re fully prepared. Once all of your required documents have been submitted and accepted by MASH, the next step is scheduling your on-site home inspection.
Find Certified Sober Living in Massachusetts

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.

Everything You Need to Open Your Sober Living Home in Massachusetts
As the Minnesota affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), MASH is dedicated to promoting https://e-kivos.gr/how-alcoholism-induces-skin-damage/ high-quality, ethical, and recovery-focused housing across the state. Supportive Housing – For individuals and families who have faced complex challenges, including homelessness, a disability, chemical dependency, or a criminal background. Supportive Housing combines rental subsidies with supportive services to restore stability, autonomy, and pride.
- Operators must demonstrate they provide a substance-free setting with regular drug testing, peer support meetings, and access to recovery resources.
- Confirm the suitability of the home’s activities to your specific recovery needs.
- This alignment with NARR standards helped MASH strengthen its certification process and expand its influence across the state.
- These homes provide residents with peer support, structure, and accountability—key factors in preventing relapse and promoting sustained recovery.
- Beyond certification, sober houses must comply with local and state regulations.
- Jeremiah Program offers one of the nation’s most successful strategies for transforming families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time.

VSL Chartered Operators gain access to a full library of proven templates, policies, forms, and supporting documents — resources that have helped our members successfully and easily obtain MASH certification. An electronic signature is required at the end of the application to certify your agreement to all standards and policies. Evidence that staff and residents model genuineness, empathy, and positive regard. Evidence that supervisors (including top management) create a positive, productive work environment for staff. Policies and procedures for ongoing performance development of staff Drug rehabilitation appropriate to staff roles and residence level.
