Recovery Housing Association Launches National Quality Database
What Does the First National Recovery Housing Database Reveal?
The NSTARR project has mapped 10,358 recovery residences across America - the first complete database of its kind, revealing massive gaps in quality tracking and geographic coverage.
According to the NSTARR project by the Public Health Institute's Alcohol Research Group, 10,358 distinct recovery homes operate across the country. These are run by 3,628 different providers and scattered across every state with oversight fragmented across multiple certification systems and state-level initiatives.
This is what we've been operating in. A shadow industry where nobody knew how many beds existed, where they were, or what standards they met. The NSTARR database collected data from January 2020 to June 2023, representing the first comprehensive national mapping of recovery housing.
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences operates more than 2,500 certified homes in 26 states, housing over 25,000 people. That's roughly 25% of all recovery residences meeting any quality standard. While NARR affiliates operate 2,500 certified homes, the remaining residences identified in the NSTARR database may operate under different certification systems or standards not captured in the current data.
The database shows something else: demographics are shifting. Certified homes historically served 80% White residents, according to the Demonstrating the Value of Recovery Housing TEP Report. Recent data shows that dropping to 70%. The industry is diversifying, but slowly.
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences was born from scandal in 2011 after fraudulent operators made headlines. Thirteen years later, we finally have the data to see the full scope of what needs fixing.
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Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
James covers the business of running sober living homes, from startup costs to the daily grind of keeping beds filled and bills paid. He's spent nearly a decade in recovery housing operations across Texas and California. He writes about what actually works, not what looks good in a business plan. Based in San Diego.
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