Housing Terminology
Lack of classification terminology for residential recovery programs makes it difficult to locate appropriate recovery programs. To help remedy this and ensure that individuals find services that meet their needs, AzRHA created Housing Terminology used to classify its member programs as a tool to assist in locating the appropriate level of care for recovering individuals.
Recovery Homes: Private residence offering the highest level of service and the most structured operations to support the recovery of adults with a background of drug/alcohol abuse. Most have some focus on co-occurring and possible medication monitoring. Delivers group services/support on-site. Usually has professional staff on-site. Level 4 Behavioral Health Licensed.
Transitional Recovery Housing: Private residence often associated with reentry from incarceration. Residents must meet requirements; often involving participation in offsite 12-step groups to remain sober/drug free. Most have some focus on co-occurring and possible medication monitoring. Transitional Recovery Houses offer linkages to community resources to support recovery, rather than onsite services. Most conduct a weekly resident meeting. May have service staff but are usually overseen by a manager/owner and resident staff.
Sober Living Housing / 3/4 House: Private residence featuring the lowest level of requirements and oversight of residents. No onsite services or community linkages. There is minimal or no staff on property. Residents are often advanced in their recovery rather than in the early stages. A Sober Living/3/4 House is closest to a private home hosting guests and is used as a stepping stone to the community after an individual resides in a Transitional Recovery House or Recovery Home.
Transitional Housing: Usually a property or multiple sites administered by an "umbrella" organization. Usually a diverse resident population, not always limited to individuals in recovery, i.e., homeless families, women/men, etc. may also be residing in the housing. HUD defines transitional housing as a project that is designed to provide housing and appropriate support services to homeless persons to facilitate movement to independent living within 24 months. May or may not have 12-step focus. Transitional housing typically has staff on-site.
Halfway House: State and federal houses used for re-entry from incarceration. These programs are not necessarily 12-step based or recovery oriented.