The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH)

How MASH Certification Ensures Safe, Supportive Sober Housing in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) plays a critical role in supporting individuals in recovery by helping to ensure access to high-quality sober living environments across 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. In collaboration with the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), MASH has developed certification standards that sober homes must meet to ensure they provide safe, supportive, and structured environments for residents in Massachusetts. Today, MASH oversees more than 180 certified sober homes. The organization’s core values emphasize health, home, purpose, and community, aligning closely with NARR’s principles to foster environments that promote long-term recovery and personal growth.

Vanderburgh Sober Living (VSL) is a network of independently operated sober homes organized and supported by the Vanderburgh Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation. VSL to support and equip operators to strengthen their local communities through effective sober housing. As the largest network of NARR-Affiliate certified homes in the United States, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards in sober housing, ensuring that VSL Chartered homes meet the rigorous certification standards set forth by MASH and NARR.

Sober House Certification in Massachusetts

Sober house certification ensures that sober homes meet high standards of safety, support, and effectiveness, creating an environment conducive to long-term recovery for individuals transitioning from addiction treatment to independent living. Sober house certification in Massachusetts is administered by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). NARR plays a pivotal role in shaping recovery housing across the United States by setting the national standards that affiliates like MASH implement. NARR’s mission is to improve access to quality recovery residences through these standards, education, and advocacy.

Read more about the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), including its history, standards, and impact on recovery housing nationwide.

The importance of MASH sober living certification

Sober house certification plays a crucial role in ensuring that these residences provide a safe, supportive, and structured environment for individuals in recovery. From a broader perspective, certification serves as validation, offering numerous benefits to residents, operators, and the broader community. Here’s why certification is so important:

• Validation & Safety: Certification involves a detailed review of operator submissions and annual inspections of homes to ensure compliance with NARR standards.
• Referrals: State-funded agencies can only refer clients to MASH-certified homes, reinforcing the importance of maintaining certification.
• Credibility: Enhances the home’s reputation, making it more attractive to potential residents and referral sources.
• Access to Resources: Certified homes gain access to training, support, and funding opportunities provided by MASH, including direct financial support for residents.
• Improved Resident Outcomes: Promotes environments that support long-term recovery through structured support, community, and accountability.

Certifying a sober house with MASH

The certification process for sober homes in Massachusetts through MASH is straightforward but thorough:

1. Submit an Application: Operators begin by submitting an application for certification.
2. Provide Supporting Documents: Required documents include policies, governance, and resident rights information.
3. Undergo an Inspection: MASH conducts an on-site inspection to verify compliance with their standards.
4. Maintain Ongoing Compliance: Certified homes must pass annual inspections and keep their documentation up to date.
5. Attend Training and Support Meetings: Operators participate in regular training and support sessions offered by MASH.
6. Renew Annually: Certification must be renewed each year, requiring re-inspection and continued adherence to standards.

If you’re a Massachusetts sober house operator seeking guidance with the MASH Certification process, our foundation provides comprehensive support for obtaining certification, including expert guidance, documentation assistance, and ongoing compliance support. Schedule a consultation with VSL.

A History of the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing

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.

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​.

The Mission and Values of MASH

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 long-term recovery.

MASH’s core values emphasize four key pillars: health, home, purpose, and community. These values guide the organization’s efforts to create living spaces where residents can rebuild their lives. By fostering a sense of community and purpose, MASH-certified homes help residents maintain their sobriety and engage in meaningful activities that support their recovery journey​.

From the Massachusetts Alliance of Sober Housing website:

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 safe living environments for those with substance use disorders.

As we say often at MASH, “Home is not a place. It is a feeling.”  Our certified sober homes take pride in offering a home-like environment that supports recovery. Certified sober homes have comfortable spaces for living, sleeping, and engaging with peers, all of which make them valuable and safe spaces for recovery.

Find Certified Sober Living in Massachusetts

• Look for VSL Chartered Homes. VSL Chartered homes in Massachusetts are required to meet MASH certification standards.
• Explore the Sober House Directory and sort for certified homes in Massachusetts.

Tips for selecting a sober house

• Consider Location: Choose a home that is conveniently located near work, family, or other support systems. Proximity to outpatient services, therapy, and support groups can also be beneficial.
• Evaluate the Support Services: Look for homes that offer additional support services such as peer-led groups, recovery coaching, or health and wellness programs. These services can enhance your recovery experience and provide additional resources during your stay.
• Visit the Home: If possible, visit the home to assess the living conditions, meet with the staff, and speak to current residents. This will give you a better sense of the environment and whether it aligns with your needs and expectations.
• Review House Rules and Structure: Understanding the house rules, curfews, and daily routines is crucial. Make sure the home’s structure aligns with your recovery goals and personal preferences.
• Check the Certification Status: Certification is key to ensuring the home meets high standards of safety and support.

Start your recovery journey in a MASH Certified sober house

Apply to a VSL Chartered MASH Certified Home today!

MASH Sober Living Initiatives

MASH is involved in several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and safety of sober living environments across the state. 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. This program is essential for helping homes comply with state and local fire safety codes, thereby ensuring a safe living environment for residents.

Additionally, MASH offers funding through its various grant programs to support sober housing initiatives. For example, the organization has facilitated significant investments in the expansion of permanent supportive housing across Massachusetts. Through these grants, MASH addresses critical needs, including helping individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find stable housing​.