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SOBER HOME SERVICES

Please see the message below from ATR’s funder, the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS).

As of 11/11/22 Access to Recovery (ATR) will no longer be accepting referrals to the Sober Home Pilot Program. Starting on 11/14/22 ATR will be an approved referral source for Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Programs. RRH vendors are uniquely positioned to support individuals in their housing search both for private housing and for sober home placement.

The ATR team understands that the discontinuation of ATR’s Sober Home Service may bring questions and concerns. Many ATR participants still express a need for housing support, so ATR Coordinators will continue to assess housing needs and will refer participants to the Rapid Rehousing Program when appropriate. For answers to a few frequently asked questions, see below.

As of 11/14/22, all ATR participants will have access to a new source of housing support through a BSAS funded program called Rapid Rehousing (RRH). BSAS has made the decision to streamline all housing supports through the Rapid Rehousing program and to discontinue ATR’s Sober Home Service. This means that ATR will no longer be providing housing supports through the Sober Home Service and instead, ATR participants with housing needs will now have RRH available as an option for assistance with their housing.

ATR participants who have any housing needs will continue to work with their ATR Coordinator to make appropriate referrals for services, one of which will now be RRH. A referral from an ATR Coordinator does not guarantee RRH services; RRH has its own screening and acceptance procedures, and services will be decided once the participant meets with RRH staff.

If the participant is living in a residential treatment program while enrolled in ATR, the ATR Coordinator will coordinate with the residential program prior to making a RRH referral, and then RRH staff will coordinate discharge and move-in plans with the residential program directly.

Rapid Rehousing services include, but are not limited to:

  • First month, last month, and security deposit for rental units
  • Rental subsidies (up to 12 months)
  • Rental and utility arrears (up to 12 months)
  • Utility assistance
  • Moving and furniture costs

Yes. If the ATR participant decides that a sober home is the best housing environment for them, they will work with a RRH case manager to find a suitable sober home and are eligible to receive assistance with move in costs and rent. RRH will only pay for sober homes that are MASH Certified and within the RRH designated service areas, which are the same service areas as ATR (Boston, Lowell, Fall River/New Bedford, Worcester, Springfield/Holyoke).

ATR participants who were already enrolled into the ATR Sober Home Service prior to 11/11/22 will continue to receive the full breadth of ATR’s sober home service. The participant will continue to have the support of their recovery coach and rental assistance support for up to 5 months. Upon finishing ATR’s sober home service, if the participant is still in need of housing support, they can talk to their ATR Coordinator about getting a referral to RRH for continued housing assistance.

If you have questions about how to make appropriate referrals to RRH or questions about referrals to ATR, please contact us here.