Experience of Oxford House has shown that from 8 to 15 members works very well. Oxford House will not charter a house with fewer than six individuals because experience has shown that it takes at least six individuals to form an effective group. This was the purpose of the first Oxford House established in 1975, and this purpose is served, day by day, house after house, in each of over 2,500 houses in the United States today.
- The VSL and Vanderburgh House ™ brands are used with permission by VSL Chartered Operators.
- The reason that each Oxford House is independent arises from the very practical consideration that those who are closest to a situation are best able to manage it.
Oxford House – Stockton
Loneliness and self-pity soon lead such individuals back to alcoholic drinking or drug use. With Oxford House there is no need for a recovering individual to live in an environment dominated by Halfway house loneliness. In its simplest form, an Oxford House describes a democratically run, self-supporting and substance free home. Parallel to this concept lies the organizational structure of Oxford House, Inc. This publicly supported, non-profit 501(c)3 corporation is the umbrella organization which provides the network connecting all Oxford Houses and allocates resources to duplicate the Oxford House concept where needs arise.
- The average number of times an Oxford House resident has been through prior treatment is three, but for about a quarter of residents their Oxford House residency is after their first treatment episode.
- As our recovery progressed, the supervision and dependency on a half-way house created dissatisfaction.
- Any member who drinks alcohol or uses drugs will be immediately expelled.
- Any recovering alcoholic or drug addict can apply to get into any Oxford House by filling out an application and being interviewed by the existing members of the House.
Individual Growth
Offering approximately 6,474 sq ft of versatile accommodation, including an impressive private leisure complex, the house is set within around one acre of secluded landscaped gardens. In its simplest form, an Oxford House describes a self-run, self-supported recovery houses. At any given time there are about 2,000 Oxford House residents who have served in the military.
Interview
During the early 1990s dozens of communities sought to close Oxford Houses located in good neighborhoods because local zoning ordinances restricted the number of unrelated individuals that could live together in a single-family home. Oxford House residents actively contribute to their communities, dedicating an average of 10 hours a month to neighborhood involvement. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ The majority of participants were involved in activities around their recovery. Key findings include 63% of residents involved in mentoring others in recovery, 44% running support groups, and 56% involved in educating the community about Oxford House. The article discusses a challenge in Columbia Heights related to zoning regulations that may threaten the program citywide. Lawyers for Oxford House argue a violation of the federal Fair Housing Act, emphasizing the need to support this cost-effective and successful rehabilitation model in the city.
Great! Let’s look at the broader Oxford House network.
© 2026 💜 Vanderburgh Sober Living ™ is a cooperative network of independently operated sober living homes organized by The Vanderburgh Foundation, Inc., a registered 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation. The VSL and Vanderburgh House ™ brands are used with permission by VSL Chartered Operators. Level III (Type S, Supervised) residences offer weekly structured programming, including recovery support services and life skills development, with trained or credentialed staff, often graduates of recovery programs. They are designed for individuals needing more intense support and are required to be licensed in some states. A rare opportunity to acquire an outstanding family home combining elegance with modern living.
The property redefines eco-conscious design and sophisticated living with its spacious, light-filled interiors. Oxford House has enabled peer-run, self-sustaining, and substance-free housing since 1975. A representative of each House in the Chapter meets with the others on a monthly basis, to exchange information, to seek resolution of problems in a particular House, and to express that Chapter’s vote on larger issues. While research on AA has been limited by the role of anonymity in recovery, the willingness of the Oxford Houses to open their doors to academic research gives us an opportunity to see recovery from addiction in action. It is inconsistent with the Oxford House system of democratic rule to have a oxford house sober living professional manager of Oxford House. For example, the landlord and phone company may require a security deposit and, while furnishings are generally donated, members will often have to rent a truck in order to pick them up.