sober living housing

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  • Golan Corshidi
    Rental Property Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2018 · 95 posts · 61 votes
    1mo

    @Stephen GordonI have experience in setting up a sober living home. Feel free to send me message! 

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  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1mo
    Quote from @Stephen Gordon:

    has anyone gone through the process of creating a sober living home? What does that look like and what steps do I take to get started? 

    I’d start with the operating model before buying or leasing a property. A sober living home is generally recovery housing rather than a treatment facility, so the requirements can change significantly if you plan to provide clinical services versus simply providing a structured, substance-free living environment. The first steps I’d take are deciding who you want to serve and what level of support you’ll provide, then checking state requirements, local zoning, occupancy and fire/building codes, insurance, and whether certification is required or recommended. SAMHSA recommends certification and having clear written policies covering admissions, resident expectations, relapse, grievances, safety, and resident rights. I’d also build relationships with treatment centers, outpatient programs, hospitals, recovery organizations, and other referral sources before opening so you understand the actual demand for beds. I definitely wouldn’t purchase a property until confirming that the location and operating model work from both a regulatory and financial standpoint. If anyone here currently operates one, I’d also be curious what you wish you knew before opening your first house. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!

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  • Jim Johnson
    Real Estate Agent · Memphis · Member since 2026 · 558 posts · 325 votes
    1mo

    I’d do some homework before treating this like a normal rental. Sober living can involve a different set of local and state requirements, and those can vary quite a bit depending on where the property is.

    I’d start in this order:

    1. Check zoning, occupancy, and any local requirements for the property
    2. Find out whether your state requires certification, licensing, or registration
    3. Talk with an attorney familiar with fair housing and sober living homes
    4. Confirm insurance before committing to the property or use
    5. Build out the actual operating plan — resident agreements, house rules, management, safety procedures, and how referrals/admissions will work

    I’d probably talk with a few established sober living operators in your specific market too. The real-world operational side is just as important as getting the property itself set up. What state are you looking to do this in?

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