Demonstrating the Value of Recovery Housing: Expert Panel Findings Report 

In January 2021, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing with funding from the Opioid Response Network (ORN) hosted a technical expert panel (TEP) to explore ways to best demonstrate the value of recovery housing in the United States. The TEP reviewed the current landscape, identified areas for improvement and discussed potential options for improving the system. The National Council convened subject matter experts, including recovery housing leaders, researchers, treatment providers, national associations, federal agencies, Single State Agency directors, payers, and others. 

The panel identified existing strengths and challenges within recovery housing and discussed the following questions to identify solutions for improving the system:

• What is missing from the current recovery housing framework, which encompasses recovery-oriented system of care (ROSC), recovery management, recovery capital and the social model?
• What strategies can be implemented to bridge the cultural divide between the social model (recovery housing) and the medical model (treatment)?
• What are the current opportunities and limitations in the funding of recovery housing?
• What is an ideal funding model for recovery housing and what needs to be in place to adequately fund recovery homes?
• What policies and systems should be implemented to create a more cohesive recovery housing ecosystem?

At the conclusion of the panel, the experts identified recommendations and proposed next steps proposed to strengthen the system in an effort to build the recovery housing network and demonstrate the value of the service. This report identifies key strategies and recommendations that are informed by recovery housing research and on-the-ground experiences of those participating as part of the TEP.

Access the report (PDF)