Oxford House vs. sober living
Oxford Houses are a specific kind of sober living home: run entirely by the people who live there, with no owner or staff managing the house day to day. That model changes the cost, the rules, and how someone gets in.
What an Oxford House is
Oxford House began in 1975 in Silver Spring, Maryland, when a group of residents took over a home that was about to close and decided to run it themselves. Today Oxford House, Inc. is a nonprofit that charters a network of houses, mostly in the United States, each run by its own residents.
Every Oxford House follows the same basic model:
- The house is run democratically. Residents elect officers and vote on house decisions.
- The house pays its own way. Residents share rent and household bills equally.
- Anyone who drinks or uses drugs must leave the house.
- There is no set length of stay. Residents can stay as long as they follow the rules and pay their share.
- Houses are for men or for women, and some accept parents with their children.
How Oxford Houses compare with other sober living homes
| Oxford House | Operator-run sober living | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | The residents, by vote | An owner or operator, usually with a house manager |
| Staff | None | Often a house manager, sometimes paid staff |
| Cost | An equal share of the house’s actual expenses | Set by the operator; varies widely |
| Getting in | Apply, interview, and be voted in by residents | Apply to the operator; intake is usually faster |
| Rules | Set and enforced by the residents | Set by the operator; enforced by staff |
| Services | Peer support only | Ranges from none to case management and life-skills programs |
When an Oxford House is a good fit
Oxford Houses tend to suit people who are stable enough to share responsibility for a household: paying bills on time, taking a turn as an officer, and holding housemates to the rules. The low cost and open-ended stay make them a good long-term option, and many people move into an Oxford House after time in a more structured home.
Someone leaving residential treatment, or who wants staff on hand, may do better starting in a home with a house manager and more structure. Our guide to choosing a sober living home covers the levels of support in more detail.
How to get into an Oxford House
- Find houses with a vacancy near where your loved one needs to live. Oxford House, Inc. lists current vacancies on its website, oxfordhouse.org.
- Contact the house and fill out its application.
- Interview with the current residents, usually at a house meeting.
- The residents vote. If accepted, your loved one pays a move-in share and moves in.
Because residents choose who joins, openings can take time. It helps to apply to several houses. Many Oxford Houses are listed in our sober living directory alongside other homes, so you can compare options and typical costs in the same place.
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