How to Get MASH Certified: Sober House Certification in Massachusetts

Violations of health and safety codes can result in fines ranging from $100 to $500 per day. Repeated violations may lead to court orders mandating compliance or temporary closures until issues are resolved. Sober homes support various abstinence-based pathways to recovery, and each residence focuses on one or more particular pathway.

» Steps to Certification

We are proud to honor this legacy and have committed to leading this sober house according to the NARR principles. Short-term rental assistance to help individuals establish themselves in recovery housing. In 2007, eight sober home operators established the nonprofit Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing. Legislation in 2014 created voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes, and MASH began managing voluntary statewide sober home certification in 2016. Transition (e.g. entry, phase movement and exit) rituals promote residents’ sense of belonging and confer progressive status and increasing opportunities within the recovery living environment and community.

Everything You Need to Open Your Sober Living Home in Massachusetts

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. Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) serves as the primary agency for accountability of all certified homes in Massachusetts. 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. The RAP program provides temporary financial assistance to individuals in early recovery who are transitioning into sober living. The goal is to remove financial barriers that might otherwise prevent access to a safe and supportive living environment.

Your Guide to Certifying a Sober House in Massachusetts

The Port is approximately nine nautical miles from the Cape Cod shipping canal, drug addiction treatment 83 miles south of Boston, and 166 miles north of New York. The MASH Rent Assistance Program (RAP) funding has been reopened and the application is now open new applicants. Learn more about the Herren Project at our article dedicated to this helpful funding program.

• You don’t have to get certified to open a sober living home in Massachusetts.
• Sandalwood offers a safe and supportive environment for women to focus on recovery.
• While MASH certification is voluntary, losing certification affects credibility and the ability to attract residents seeking structured environments.
• Amy’s House provides lab uninalysis, 12 Step resources, medication management, wifi, an more.
• NARR has since released two updates to the standards, first in October 2015 and then in 2018.
• Faith House #5 is an all male recovery house located in Roxbury, MA.
• This tool is an invaluable resource to those considering operating in the state because you can use it to better understand the market and identify holes in the state’s offerings.

G. Core Principle: Facilitate Active Recovery and Recovery Community Engagement

Establishing a strong sober home community culture is critical to success in recovery. MASH-certified sober homes must also offer a peer-based environment and be drug- and alcohol-free. Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors are only able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug-free (ADF) housing.

In accordance with this requirement, 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. In Massachusetts, sober house certification is managed by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH).

MASH Certified Sober Homes

Certified sober homes have comfortable spaces for living, sleeping, and engaging with peers, all of which make them valuable and safe spaces for recovery. Certifying your sober house through MASH is a critical step toward offering a safe, structured, and recovery-focused home for individuals rebuilding their lives. By following this process carefully and staying proactive, you’ll lay the foundation for a sober home that truly supports lasting recovery. In Massachusetts, sober house certification is governed by a framework to ensure facilities meet care and safety standards. The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) offers voluntary certification, which signifies adherence to best practices.

One of its key initiatives is providing Recovery Housing Scholarships, offering financial assistance for sober living arrangements to help individuals transition into a structured, supportive environment. Sober living homes are a vital part of the recovery journey, providing a safe, supportive, and structured environment for individuals transitioning from treatment to independent living. In Massachusetts, these homes—especially those certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH)—help residents stay sober through peer support, accountability, and community. The process involves a thorough review of policies, procedures, and the living environment. Operators must demonstrate they provide a substance-free setting with regular drug testing, peer support meetings, and access to recovery resources. Certified homes must maintain proper documentation, ensuring transparency.

There are many individuals with the disease of addiction, and there are too few safe and sober environments for them to recover in, resulting in fatal circumstances. The Willing House provides safe housing for all who need it, with all the comforts of home, and a feeling of close-knit peer support. If a safe and sober living environment with fellowship and support is what you seek, we know you’ll find it here at The Willing House. Partial or full coverage of sober house fees in MASH-certified sober homes to provide a stable living environment.