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Vanderburgh Sober Living
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Build Sober Living Homes That Change Lives

Becoming a VSL Chartered Operator helps you open certified and profitable recovery housing—from scratch, with zero experience.



The Sober Living Opportunity

10.2 million

Americans received treatment for substance use disorder in 2024.

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620% higher

Sustained recovery, from 11% to 68%, when in structured sober living.

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5.6x more

Net income compared with traditional long-term rental real estate.

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What Sets Vanderburgh Sober Living Apart?

Our Members

Our members are dedicated recovery housing professionals from Maine to California, united by a shared desire to create profound community impact and build profitable sober living businesses.

VSL is the largest network of Level II recovery housing in the US.

Our Leadership

Our leadership brings decades of experience in recovery housing, real estate, and social enterprise. Dr. Hunter T. Foote and the VSL team ensure every operator has the tools and insight to succeed.

Dr. Foote, author of 31 books, is a national leader in recovery housing.

Our Systems

For over a decade, VSL has built systems that make recovery housing more effective, transparent, and sustainable—empowering operators to focus on what matters most.

VSL systems offer a simple, repeatable, scalable process.

Discover how VSL Training equips recovery housing leaders with real-world tools, coaching, and on-site learning to launch successful sober homes.

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Why Effective Recovery Housing Matters

Recovery housing rebuilds communities, reunites families, and saves lives. Recovery housing plays a vital role in supporting individuals on their path to long-term recovery. It provides a structured, supportive environment that fosters stability, accountability, and community, all of which are crucial for sustained recovery.

Recovery housing provides guests an opportunity to rebuild their lives

Recovery housing provides guests an opportunity to rebuild their lives

Recovery housing offers a stable, structured environment where guests can focus on rebuilding their lives. Free from the triggers and instability of their past, individuals have the opportunity to develop healthy habits, regain their independence, and rediscover their sense of purpose. Recovery housing is not just a temporary solution— it’s a launchpad for long-term recovery.

Recovery housing represents a deep sense of community

Recovery housing is more than just a place to stay—it’s a community that fosters accountability, growth, and resilience. Guests form strong bonds with their peers, supporting each other through challenges and celebrating successes. This sense of community builds lasting resilience, empowering guests to thrive in recovery and beyond.

Recovery housing represents a deep sense of community
Recovery housing is led by peers focused on recovery

Recovery housing is led by peers focused on recovery

Recovery housing is guided by those who understand the challenges and rewards of the recovery journey—peers and allies committed to supporting others. It represents an opportunity for guests to grow into peer mentorship roles, and for House Mentors to even become operators of their own homes. This peer-driven leadership fosters a compassionate, empathetic environment where everyone has the chance to thrive. With access to the right tools and resources, operators lead with confidence, ensuring both the guests and the recovery community can flourish.

📘 Path to Purposeful Recovery Housing

Get your free copy of Path to Purposeful Recovery Housing—a practical guide to building homes that change lives and last. Learn the systems and strategies that unite purpose, sustainability, and community impact.

Written by Dr. Hunter T. Foote, it distills years of hands-on experience from the Vanderburgh Sober Living network into actionable insights for recovery housing leaders and developers who want to align mission and profitability with impact.

Download the Free Guide »
Book cover of The Path to Purposeful Recovery Housing: An Insider’s Guide to Sober Living and Its Role in Addiction Recovery by Dr. Hunter T. Foote, showing a historic recovery home under a blue sky.

Learn About Our Community

The Vanderburgh Foundation

The Vanderburgh Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation based in Webster, Massachusetts. The Foundation’s mission is to ensure access to a supportive, affordable, and sustainable home for each person on a recovery journey. This is brought to life in four ways:

  1. Developing standards for recovery housing operation
  2. Providing Charters to operators who meet standards
  3. Leading a Chartered Operator membership organization
  4. Providing members with support, training, and resources

Vanderburgh Sober Living™

Vanderburgh Sober Living™ (VSL) is a membership organization for recovery home operators who join the VSL community with a passion for recovery housing and commit to upholding high standards of care, ensuring all Chartered Homes offer consistency to guests and meet the best practices in our field.

What is a “Charter”?

A Charter grants membership in the VSL Community. The Foundation commits to support member-Operators, and members commit to operate with integrity and excellence.

Pick Your Path

Just Getting Started

Learn how sober living works, what’s involved in starting a sober house, and whether this path is right for you. Explore independently and build understanding before taking action.

Learn Independently

Already Have a Property?

You own or control a property and want to know if it will work as a sober house. Assess readiness, feasibility, and whether operating makes sense for you.

Evaluate My Property

Ready to Go Deeper

You’re ready for structured guidance, proven systems, and step-by-step training to move forward with confidence.

Platform Services