The Fire Sprinkler System Program (FSSP) is designed to support and protect sober housing in Massachusetts by providing one-time grants to Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH)-Certified Sober Homes for the installation of sprinkler systems. ”Certified alcohol and drug free housing”, alcohol and drug free housing that has been accredited by the bureau pursuant to this section. To refer an ATR participant for sober home assistance and placement, authorized portals should complete this referral form and upload any required documentation. Our referral form is password protected, and only Authorized Referral Portals have access to make a referral.

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. Sober home services provide  wrap-around support to ATR participants experiencing housing instability by addressing both their housing and recovery needs. Referred by a community provider, an eligible ATR participant will work with an ATR Housing Coordinator to find a sober home that meets their needs. ATR will pay the sober home rent and will assign a peer recovery coach to work alongside the participant for the duration of their stay in the sober home.

Rise Above Sober Living Massachusetts

After a referral is received, our Housing Coordinator will reach out to the individual to schedule an intake appointment. Contact Rise Above today to find out if there are any beds available in our program. (v) verify good standing with regard to local, state and federal laws and any regulations and ordinances mash certified sober homes including, but not limited to, building, maximum occupancy, fire safety and sanitation codes. Sober homes applying for annual recertification must remit payment of certification fees within 30 days or the home may be subject to certification suspension and a lapse in access to grant funding.

• The Fire Sprinkler System Program (FSSP) is designed to support and protect sober housing in Massachusetts by providing one-time grants to Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH)-Certified Sober Homes for the installation of sprinkler systems.
• All MASH-certified sober homes follow the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and have been independently inspected.
• Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors shall only be able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug free (ADF) housing.
• Each guest can expect a clean bed, sufficient clothing storage, HDTV w/ cable and free wifi in every room inside a clean, well maintained home cared for by the guests who stay there!
• Our mission is to provide clean, comfortable accommodations in a positive environment for those looking to live a sober lifestyle.

All sober homes initially certifying with MASH for the first time will only be certified after the certification invoice has been paid. Homes will not be listed on our website or have access to grant funding until the invoice is paid. Upon arriving at a sober-living house from rehab or detox, a woman can expect a safe and supportive environment that promotes long-term sobriety. The house managers will assist in helping her settle in and become familiar with the house rules and daily routine. She will receive help and support from those knowledgeable about addiction and recovery. Our team will guide you in developing healthy habits, setting goals, and addressing any challenges that may arise during the recovery process.

Fire Sprinkler System Program (FSSP)

In July 2014, Bill H.1828 was passed into law mandating the monitoring and voluntary certification of MA Sober Homes. 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.

FSSP grants (up to $80,000 per Sober Home) will provide the funding necessary to bring Sober Homes into compliance with MGL c. 26H, as this new fire safety code is adopted by local cities and towns in Massachusetts. Amenities include on site laundry, air conditioning, parking, full kitchens, living/dining rooms and quick access to public transportation. Each guest can expect a clean bed, sufficient clothing storage, HDTV w/ cable and free wifi in every room inside a clean, well maintained home cared for by the guests who stay there!

Certification Application Steps

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. We strive to create a mutual respect and accountability culture where residents can feel comfortable and secure in their journey toward lasting recovery. Through community involvement, holistic wellness practices, and evidence-based therapies, we aim to help our residents build the foundation for a fulfilling and sustainable life in recovery.

In 2011, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) established national standards for recovery residences (including sober housing). These standards were developed using a collaborative approach with input from regional and national recovery housing organizations. MASH is an affiliate of NARR and used these standards to create Massachusetts standards for certified sober homes. NARR has since released two updates to the standards, first in October 2015 and then in 2018. The third version of the NARR standards provides more explicit guidance to providers, including metrics for evaluating the peer support components of a residence’s recovery environment. (f) The bureau shall prepare, publish and disseminate a list of alcohol and drug free housing certified pursuant to this section; provided, however, that the list shall be updated bimonthly.

ATR only funds participants to live in sober homes that are certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), which is the primary agency for accountability of all certified sober homes in Massachusetts. (b) The bureau shall establish and provide for the administration of a voluntary training and accreditation program for operators of alcohol and drug free housing seeking certification under subsection (d). ”Operator”, the lawful owner of alcohol and drug free housing or a person employed and designated by the owner to have primary responsibility for the daily operation of such housing and for maintaining standards and conditions in such housing that create an environment supportive of substance use disorder recovery. Chapter 165, Section 37 of the Acts of 2014 required the Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish a process for the voluntary certification of alcohol and drug free (ADF) housing. This legislation limits state agencies and their vendors to referring to certified ADF housing. DPH awarded a contract to the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) to be the certifying body, and the training and technical assistance vendor.

• (v) verify good standing with regard to local, state and federal laws and any regulations and ordinances including, but not limited to, building, maximum occupancy, fire safety and sanitation codes.
• Our referral form is password protected, and only Authorized Referral Portals have access to make a referral.
• Are you a state agency, licensed provider, individual, or family looking for a MASH-certified sober home?
• In accordance with this requirement, MASH serves as the primary agency for accountability of all certified homes in Massachusetts.
• ”Certified alcohol and drug free housing”, alcohol and drug free housing that has been accredited by the bureau pursuant to this section.

Boston Sober Homes is a M.A.S.H certified sober housing company for those who are serious about their recovery and sobriety. Our mission is to provide clean, comfortable accommodations in a positive environment for those looking to live a sober lifestyle. Are you a state agency, licensed provider, individual, or family looking for a MASH-certified sober home? All MASH-certified sober homes follow the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and have been independently inspected. (e) The director shall periodically evaluate the quality of training being provided to operators seeking certification and the integrity and efficacy of the accreditation program.

In July 2014, Massachusetts passed legislation that mandates the monitoring and voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes. The law states that although a sober home is not required to be certified to operate, a state agency or vendor with a statewide contract to provide treatment services, or a state agency or officer setting conditions for release, parole or discharge, may not refer a person to a residence that is not certified. Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors shall only be able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug free (ADF) housing. Any home not certified will not be able to accept clients from state agencies until certified. A contract was awarded to the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) to be the certifying body, and the training and technical assistance vendor. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a residence that has not received certification from operating or advertising as alcohol and drug free housing or from offering residence to persons recovering from substance use disorders.

• ATR only funds participants to live in sober homes that are certified by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), which is the primary agency for accountability of all certified sober homes in Massachusetts.
• These standards were developed using a collaborative approach with input from regional and national recovery housing organizations.
• Legislation in 2014 created voluntary certification of Massachusetts sober homes, and MASH began managing voluntary statewide sober home certification in 2016.

The list shall be disseminated to the director of the division of drug rehabilitation and to each state agency or vendor with a statewide contract that provides substance use disorder treatment services. The commissioner of probation shall inform all district and superior court probation officers and the chief justice of the trial court shall inform all district and superior court judges on how to access the list. Effective September 1, 2016, state agencies and their vendors are only able to refer clients to certified alcohol and drug-free (ADF) housing.