Oxford House
OACRA Provider Highlight
Recovery Housing · Vacancy Access · National NetworkOxford Houses are self-run, self-supported recovery houses. Oxford House, Inc. provides technical assistance to the network of houses and supports expansion of the Oxford House Model.
Organization Overview
Oxford House describes an Oxford House as a democratically run, self-supporting, drug-free home. Oxford Houses are rented homes that are gender-specific, have at least six beds, and operate under the Oxford House system of operations.
Oxford House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides technical assistance to the network of houses to foster expansion of the Oxford House Model. Oxford House reports more than 3,500 Oxford Houses across the United States.
How Oxford Houses Work
Oxford Houses are democratically self-run by the residents. Members elect officers for six-month terms, and every member has an equal vote regardless of how long the member has lived in the house.
Each Oxford House follows three core requirements: the house is self-run on a democratic basis, financially self-supporting, and drug and alcohol-free. Each member pays an Equal Expense Share (EES), which covers the member’s equal share of rent and common house expenses.
Oxford House states that there is no time limit on how long a member may live in an Oxford House. A member may remain as long as the member does not use drugs or alcohol, is not disruptive, and pays the member’s share of house expenses.
Finding a House and Applying
Oxford House directs applicants to OxfordVacancies.com to find houses with openings. The vacancy locator can be filtered by state, county, and house type, and listings show current openings and house contact information.
An applicant can contact a house directly to set up an interview or use the online application. The online application can be sent to specific houses or to houses with openings in selected counties.
Applicants are interviewed by the existing members of the house. Oxford House states that an applicant is accepted when 80% of the house members approve the application.
Interview and House Vote
Oxford House states that a person seeking membership fills out an application and is interviewed by the existing members of the house.
The house membership considers the application. If 80% of the members approve, the applicant is accepted and may move in. If an applicant is not accepted by one house, Oxford House advises trying another house in the area.
Oxford House states that there is no specific amount of sobriety required before a person can be accepted into an Oxford House.
What the Official Tools Provide
Vacancy search
- Search by state, county, ZIP code, city, house name, and house type
- Filter for houses with vacancies
- View current openings and house contact information
- See interview information when provided by the house
Application and interview
- Call houses directly to set up an interview
- Apply online to specific houses
- Apply to houses with openings in selected counties
- Bring a copy of the application to the interview
Use the Official Oxford House Pathway
Oxford House directs applicants to use the official vacancy locator, contact a house with an opening to set up an interview, or submit the online application to selected houses or houses with openings in selected counties.
