How to Form a Halfway House

Halfway homes offer safe and sober environments for individuals.

A halfway house is a safe haven for individuals who need shelter while they recover from substance abuse addictions, or who are becoming integrated back into a community after being released from an institutional setting. Halfway homes, also known as transitional housing, are designed to be temporary placements that allow individuals to remain until they are able to get back on their feet. Starting a halfway house requires a lot of strategizing in order to offer an effective residential environment for those in need.

Things You'll Need

• Program description
• Home
• License
• Funding

Instructions

1. Decide on the location for your halfway house by researching the demographics in your city or state to determine where a need exists. Look for areas that have few or no halfway homes already established. Consider locations that are proximal to recovery and rehabilitation centers, as guests in your halfway house may need to access such facilities as part of their treatment and recovery plans.

2. Apply for a grant or funding to start your halfway house. Government assistance programs are available in various cities and states to help establish housing for those in need of temporary shelter. Look to financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, for loans that can be used toward setting up your facility if you cannot secure a grant. Keep in mind that in order to be considered for financial aid, you must prepare and present a program description of your halfway house.

3. Determine the population your halfway house will serve, such as specific age ranges and gender. For instance, some halfway houses are strictly for adolescent females, while others are for sex offenders. Consider what types of services, such as support groups and life skills training, your halfway home will offer based on the specified populations.

4. Find out if your city or state requires you to obtain a license or other type of permit in order to operate your halfway house. Read the fine print of your license, as it will dictate how you run and maintain your facility. For instance, licensing regulations may state that the home must have a working fire alarm. Additionally, licensing a halfway home means that county or state inspectors can perform onsite inspections at any time.

5. Get involved with the community and advertise your halfway home. Meet with rehabilitation, recovery and behavioral health centers in town to let them know of your new facility and inform them about your criteria for residents (i.e. all females, all males). Establish partnerships with community centers so you can work collaboratively to help those in need.

Tips & Warnings

• Recruit for volunteers or hire staff to supervise the halfway house. Volunteers and/or staff are meant to maintain order within the home and compliance with the halfway house's program. Individuals who obstruct the environment may be asked to leave.

References

• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction: Halfway House Program Overview
• National Institute on Chemical Dependency: How to Open a Halfway House