Sober Living Blueprints
State-specific deep dive: certification, zoning, laws, and ops—updated every 90 days.
Explore Blueprints
Change Lives ✦ Build Wealth
Three ways to start and operate profitable recovery housing — from self-guided tools to a done-with-you partnership. Find the path that fits where you are today.
State-specific deep dive: certification, zoning, laws, and ops—updated every 90 days.
Explore BlueprintsGuided training, coaching, and community to launch with confidence.
Explore LaunchpadDone-with-you setup, certification, and Chartered Operator support.
Explore MasteryStill exploring sober living or want to understand the model before committing?
VSL’s books, guides, and state-specific resources help recovery housing owners, operators, and investors understand the fundamentals before making major decisions.
Learn at your own pace, avoid common mistakes, and move forward with greater clarity.
Practical Guidance
Use books, guides, and state-specific resources to learn how sober living works before you open, operate, or invest in a sober living home.
VSL’s flagship training, templates, and leadership community.
Starting from scratch
Learn how to find the right property and open your first home.
Move from a vision to opening day with confidence.
Preparing an existing home
Learn how to upfit existing property and run it profitably.
Start quickly and operate profitably with proven systems.
Hands-on partnership for launching and sustaining recovery housing
Mastery Program is VSL’s highest level of support for owners and operators who want direct partnership, including planning, compliance guidance, certification support, and operating infrastructure for long-term success.
Direct Partnership
We work alongside you, planning, reviewing decisions, preparing documents, and guiding execution.
Compliance Confidence
Property-specific guidance on zoning, life safety, fair housing, and certification reduces uncertainty.
Long-Term Sustainability
Access software and ongoing support designed to keep your home full and compliant.
Ready for direct support?
Mastery Program is designed for owners and operators who want hands-on support through launch, certification, operations, and long-term growth.
How much guidance do you want, and how fast do you want to move?
| Feature | Blueprint | Launchpad | Mastery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Self-guided system | Guided program | Done-with-you |
| Price | $497 Annual membership | $1,199 Payment plans available | Grant-subsidized enrollment Subject to application approval |
| State-Specific Content | ✓ By design | ✓ Certification Template Binder for your statePlus NARR Level II & III guidance in the Academy courses | ✓ Blueprint for 5 states |
| NARR Level Covered | Level II & III | Level II & III Ideal for Level II | Levels II–IV Clinical licensing support not included for Level IV |
| Template Documents | 30+ templates | 130+ templates | All templates + 1-on-1 document prep with VSL’s support team |
| Academy Course Library | — | ✓ (6 courses; $2k+ value) | ✓ (full course library) |
| 1-on-1 Support | — | ✓ Upfront strategy session | ✓ Unlimited, ongoing 1-on-1 sessions |
| Weekly Coaching | — | ✓ | ✓ (full access) |
| Certification Support | Do-it-yourself templates | Do-it-yourself templates + courses | Concierge, end-to-end certification with 1-on-1 support |
| Marketing | — | Course on filling beds | Custom website + marketing platform Learn more → |
| Community | — | ✓ Membership included | ✓ Membership included |
| VSL Charter | — | — | ✓ |
| Best For | Self-starters | First-time operators wanting guidance | Operators wanting hands-on support at scale |
Swipe to compare all three programs
Expand any section below for a side-by-side look at what’s included. (The Blueprint is self-guided — see the Blueprints page for its full contents.)
| Sober Living Launchpad Program | Mastery Program (VSL Charter) | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Purpose | A guided pre-launch process to gain real clarity on whether your home will work, how it can be funded, how beds will be filled, and what it takes to launch responsibly and sustainably. | A hands-on, done-with-you partnership to launch and operate a recovery home and become a VSL Chartered Operator — with systems, support, and a network in place from day one. |
| Ideal Participant | Aspiring owners, mission-driven investors, recovery professionals, and community leaders who want structured guidance and a clear plan before committing to full execution.You learn → you plan → you execute | Committed operators who want speed, certainty, done-with-you execution, and long-term operating infrastructure from an experienced team.We plan → we build → you launch → we support |
| VSL Charter Pathway (Brand + Referrals + Software + Network Access & Growth Engine) | ✗ NoLaunchpad prepares you to evaluate the opportunity and build your foundation. Launchpad tuition may be credited toward Mastery enrollment. | ✓ Yes — graduates become CharteredOperate under the VSL brand with built-in credibility, national visibility, and direct access to VSL’s referral network, systems, and ongoing support. |
| Launchpad | Mastery (VSL Charter) | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $1,199Payment plans available. | Application-basedGrant funding is available to offset the initial investment; subject to application approval. See if you qualify for a support grant |
| Ongoing Costs | None | Monthly membership fee; waived for your first three months |
| Launchpad | Mastery (VSL Charter) | |
|---|---|---|
| One-on-One Strategy Session | ✓ Yes — private session with a senior VSL development team memberA working session focused on your specific situation, goals, and next steps — including a clear launch roadmap, guidance on the right model, property clarity, and early risk awareness. | ✓ Yes — plus dedicated one-on-one support throughout every phaseStructured mentorship and a true partner in your corner for every decision, from site selection through launch and ongoing operations. |
| Sober Living Academy | ✓ Yes — full access to select Academy courses ($2,000+ value)Includes INT-101, RHL-101, RHL-102, RHL-103, RHL-104, and RHL-105. | ✓ Yes — full access to all Academy trainingPlus the Sober Living Blueprint™ for your state, House Mentor Academy, and one-on-one training opportunities. |
| Coaching & Ongoing Support | Weekly group coaching calls to help you apply what you are learning, stay accountable, and solve problems as they arise. | ✓ Yes — everything in Launchpad, plus:
|
| Launchpad | Mastery (VSL Charter) | |
|---|---|---|
| Certification Support | Certification roadmap, applicable standards review, and a complete state-specific Certification Template Binder — included at no extra cost. | ✓ Yes — full support for certification documents, inspections, and annual renewalsIncludes a done-for-you Emergency Plan Binder prepared in accordance with NARR 3.0 standards. |
| Filling Beds & Referrals | AI referral research, local demand and pricing analysis, outreach strategies, and connections with community partners — designed to fill your home within 45 days of opening. | ✓ Yes — plus direct integration with VSL’s national referral network2,000+ referral sources, daily inbound applicants routed to your home, and centralized call center support. |
| Financial Feasibility | Startup cost analysis, revenue projections, and early risk identification to confirm your opportunity before you commit capital. | ✓ Yes — plus deal review, off-market property opportunities, and profitability guidanceIncludes in-depth KPI audit and performance optimization once you are operating. |
| Funding & Fundraising | Six key fundraising tools; structured guidance on grants, donations, loans, and resident payments. | ✓ Yes — ongoing guidance plus VSL as 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorConditions apply. Includes access to grant funding to offset Mastery program costs. |
| Zoning, Legal & Fair Housing | Fair housing protections, legal exposure reduction, and zoning research guidance to help you understand your rights and risks before opening. | ✓ Yes — property-specific expert guidance to manage risk and reduce uncertaintyIncludes a customized legal analysis, reasonable accommodation letter templates, and legal entity formation documents for your state. |
| Launchpad | Mastery (VSL Charter) | |
|---|---|---|
| Market & Demand Analysis | Local recovery housing demand study covering saturation, pricing, and referral dynamics — so you know whether your market can support a new home. | ✓ Yes — plus national referral data and Neighborhood Scout report accessProperty-specific analysis to confirm viability before you commit. |
| Property Evaluation & Deal Structuring | Guidance on how to assess property layout, neighborhood fit, zoning, and operational viability — and how to find and evaluate the right deal. | ✓ Yes — hands-on guidance evaluating, structuring, and closing the right dealIncludes floor plan and capacity optimization, zoning and building code research, and support finding and funding real estate deals. |
| Business Formation | LLC and Corp. Checklist to guide your entity selection and formation process. | ✓ Yes — done-with-you entity formation and structure setupIncludes legal entity formation documents specific to your state. |
| Launch Support | A strategic launch plan with a clear, step-by-step path from concept to opening day — self-directed with coaching support along the way. | ✓ Yes — hands-on support through opening day and beyondIncludes remote staffing support, a trusted vendor network, brand development, and a custom website. |
| Templates & Documents | Plug-and-play templates so you don’t start from scratch.
|
Everything in Launchpad, plus 130+ additional documents and done-for-you systems.
|
| Operating Systems & Software | ✗ Not included | ✓ Yes — provided with Charter Membership
|
| Business Insurance | ✗ Not included | ✓ Yes — access VSL’s network of insurance partners at a significant discount |
| Launchpad | Mastery (VSL Charter) | |
|---|---|---|
| Community Access | ✓ Yes — VSL Leadership CommunityA private online network of aspiring and active operators for perspective, support, and practical insight. | ✓ Yes — full access to all VSL communitiesPeer connection and shared insight from operators across the national network. |
| Long-Term Operating Infrastructure | ✗ Not included | ✓ Yes — provided with Charter Membership
|
Choose the program that fits where you are right now
Build Your Foundation First
Build a launch plan, learn how to fund your launch, and plan for growth — with a private strategy session, 130+ template documents, Academy training, weekly coaching, and access to VSL’s community of operators.
$1,199 — payment plans available
Learn More About LaunchpadReady to Build With a Team Behind You?
A hands-on, done-with-you partnership to launch and operate a certified recovery home — with site strategy, business formation, software, 2,000+ referral sources, launch support, and VSL Charter Membership included.
Contact for pricing — Enrollment grants are available to qualified applicants
Learn More About MasteryNot sure which program is right for you? Schedule a no-obligation conversation and we’ll help you find the right fit.