Recovery Housing Software Guide: Complete Platform Comparison for Operators
Recovery housing software helps operators manage compliance, billing, and residents across sober living homes, halfway houses, and transitional housing programs.
Recovery housing software is a specialized management platform that helps operators run sober living homes, halfway houses, and transitional housing programs with centralized compliance tracking, billing automation, and resident management tools. Operators who adopt purpose-built software reduce administrative overhead by up to 70 percent and improve audit readiness across every facility in their portfolio.
The recovery housing industry spans diverse facility types, from Level 1 peer-run homes to Level 4 clinical residences, halfway houses with Department of Corrections contracts, and HUD-funded transitional housing. Each program type carries distinct compliance requirements, reporting obligations, and operational workflows that generic property management or healthcare software cannot address.
This guide evaluates every major recovery housing software platform available to operators in 2026. It covers feature comparisons across facility types, implementation timelines, ROI projections, and selection criteria so you can make an informed technology decision for your organization. Whether you manage a single sober living home or oversee a multi-site network, the data below will help you identify the right platform for your programs.
For context on launching a new facility before selecting software, see our guide on how to start a sober living home.
Understanding Recovery Housing Software Categories
Recovery housing software is not one-size-fits-all. The platform you need depends on the types of facilities you operate and the regulatory frameworks governing your programs. Here is how the major categories break down.
Sober Living Management Platforms
Target Facilities: NARR-certified recovery residences, sober living homes
Sober living management platforms focus on the unique needs of voluntary recovery programs. Core capabilities include NARR standards compliance monitoring, voluntary admission and discharge workflows, peer-driven programming support, insurance billing for covered services, and alumni and referral network management. Primary users are house managers, recovery coaches, and administrative staff.
Halfway House Management Systems
Target Facilities: Court-ordered residential programs, DOC/BOP contracted facilities
Halfway house systems layer correctional compliance on top of standard recovery housing operations. They must handle DOC and BOP reporting, mandatory program participation tracking, court-ordered requirement monitoring, supervision check-in management, and violation and incident reporting. Case managers, correctional liaisons, and program directors are the primary users.
Our dedicated halfway house management software guide covers this category in detail.
Transitional Housing Platforms
Target Facilities: HUD-funded programs, supportive housing, homeless services
Transitional housing platforms center on service coordination and government reporting. Requirements include HUD compliance and APR generation, service plan development and tracking, benefits coordination, housing search and placement documentation, and outcome measurement with HMIS data integration. Case managers, service coordinators, and housing specialists rely on these tools daily.
Supportive Housing Systems
Target Facilities: Mental health housing, disability housing, veteran programs
Supportive housing systems address long-term residential stability with specialized features for ADA accommodation management, clinical service coordination, medication management support, crisis intervention documentation, and long-term housing transition planning.
Technology Trends Reshaping Recovery Housing Software
Before evaluating specific platforms, it is important to understand the technology shifts that have transformed what operators should expect from their software.
AI-Powered Compliance Monitoring
Modern platforms leverage artificial intelligence to proactively flag compliance gaps before they become audit findings. AI scans resident records, staff certifications, and facility documentation in real time, alerting administrators to expiring credentials, missed drug tests, and documentation shortfalls. According to SAMHSA’s National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, facilities that adopt technology-driven compliance monitoring see measurable improvements in regulatory adherence. Early adopters report reducing audit deficiencies by 40 to 60 percent.
Telehealth-Integrated Platforms
Integration of telehealth directly into recovery housing management systems has become standard. Residents attend counseling sessions, peer support groups, and clinical check-ins through embedded video conferencing without leaving the platform. This is especially impactful for rural recovery homes and programs serving residents with transportation barriers.
Automated Government Reporting
Automated reporting to Departments of Corrections, HUD, and state agencies eliminates the manual data entry burden. Platforms now generate pre-formatted reports aligned with specific state and federal templates, pulling data directly from daily operations. Halfway house operators report saving 20 to 30 hours per week on reporting alone.
Mobile-First Resident Engagement
The best recovery housing platforms now offer resident-facing mobile apps for check-ins, scheduling, medication reminders, meeting attendance logging, and direct communication with staff. This mobile-first approach improves compliance rates and keeps residents engaged in their recovery programming.
For deeper analysis of where the industry is headed, read our recovery housing technology trends overview.
Platform-by-Platform Analysis
1. Sober Living App
Best For: All recovery housing types, particularly multi-facility operators
Facility Types Supported: Sober Living Homes (Levels 1-4), Halfway Houses, Transitional Housing, Supportive Housing, Recovery Community Centers
Pricing: $199-399/month per facility
Recovery Housing Features:
- NARR standards compliance tracking with AI-powered automated monitoring
- DOC/BOP reporting templates with automated submission for halfway house operations
- HUD compliance documentation for transitional housing
- Service coordination tools for supportive housing programs
- Multi-level care planning across facility types
- Telehealth integration for remote counseling and clinical sessions
Resident Management:
- Intake workflows customized by facility type
- Housing placement and bed assignment optimization
- Individual service plan development and tracking
- Goal setting and progress monitoring with milestone alerts
- Discharge planning with aftercare coordination
- Resident-facing mobile app for check-ins and scheduling
Financial Management:
- Automated billing for different funding sources
- Insurance coordination and claims processing
- Rent and fee collection with payment plans
- Grant reporting and fund allocation tracking
- Cost per resident analysis and budgeting tools
- Automated payment reminders and delinquency tracking
Compliance and Reporting:
- Real-time AI-powered compliance dashboard for multiple standards
- Automated report generation for various funding sources
- Audit trail maintenance for all facility types
- Staff certification and training tracking with expiration alerts
- Incident management with proper notifications
- HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 compliance built in
Strengths by Facility Type:
For sober living homes, the platform provides comprehensive NARR compliance automation, alumni network management, referral source tracking, peer support program coordination, and recovery milestone tools.
For halfway houses, operators get DOC/BOP reporting automation with state-specific templates, court order compliance tracking, mandatory program attendance monitoring, supervision check-in management, and violation escalation procedures with automated notifications.
For transitional housing, the platform includes HUD reporting compliance, service linkage and coordination tools, benefits application tracking, housing search assistance documentation, and rapid rehousing support features.
For supportive housing, features include accommodation request and approval tracking, clinical service coordination, medication management support, crisis intervention documentation, and independent living skill assessment.
Implementation Support: Facility-type specific setup, data migration, customized staff training, dedicated account management, and regular system updates.
2. PlanStreet
Best For: Transitional housing and homeless services programs
Facility Types Supported: Transitional Housing, Supportive Housing, Homeless Services. Does not support Sober Living Homes or Halfway Houses.
Pricing: $50-150 per user per month
PlanStreet offers strong HUD compliance and reporting tools, case management, service coordination, benefits tracking, and housing search functionality. However, it lacks NARR compliance features, substance abuse treatment coordination, recovery-specific programming, AI compliance monitoring, and telehealth integration.
3. Sobriety Hub
Best For: Basic sober living homes and recovery residences
Facility Types Supported: Sober Living Homes only. Does not support Halfway Houses, Transitional Housing, or Supportive Housing.
Pricing: $149-249/month per facility
Sobriety Hub provides basic NARR compliance tracking, simple resident management, drug testing coordination, basic billing, and limited reporting. It has a user-friendly interface and reasonable pricing for small facilities, but lacks DOC/BOP reporting, HUD compliance, AI compliance features, telehealth, and multi-facility-type support.
4. One Step Software
Best For: Small sober living homes with basic needs
Facility Types Supported: Sober Living Homes (basic) only. Does not support Halfway Houses, Transitional Housing, or Supportive Housing.
Pricing: $129-199/month per facility
One Step offers simple resident tracking, basic billing, limited compliance monitoring, and minimal reporting. It is affordable with a quick implementation, but has very limited scope, no multi-facility-type support, basic feature depth, and limited scalability.
Platform Comparison Table
| Feature | Sober Living App | PlanStreet | Sobriety Hub | One Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sober Living Homes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Halfway Houses | Yes | No | No | No |
| Transitional Housing | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Supportive Housing | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| AI Compliance Monitoring | Yes | No | No | No |
| Telehealth Integration | Yes | No | No | No |
| Automated DOC Reporting | Yes | No | No | No |
| Mobile Resident App | Yes | No | Limited | No |
| NARR Compliance | Full | No | Basic | Limited |
| HUD Reporting | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Multi-Facility Dashboard | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| Price Range (monthly) | $199-399 | $50-150/user | $149-249 | $129-199 |
Facility-Type Specific Feature Requirements
NARR-Certified Recovery Residences
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences defines four levels of support, each with distinct software requirements.
Level 1 (Peer-Run): Peer support coordination tools, voluntary program participation tracking, community meeting scheduling, peer accountability system support, and alumni engagement features.
Level 2 (Monitored): Staff supervision scheduling, house rule enforcement tracking, regular check-in documentation, structured programming support, and recovery progress monitoring.
Level 3 (Supervised): Clinical staff scheduling and documentation, treatment plan integration, medication management support, crisis intervention protocols, and professional service coordination.
Level 4 (Service Provider): Clinical service delivery tracking, treatment outcome measurement, insurance billing and claims processing, professional licensing compliance, and integrated care plan management.
For a detailed breakdown of NARR standards, see our NARR certification guide.
Halfway House Operations
DOC/BOP Compliance: Automated reporting to correctional departments, court order compliance tracking, mandatory program attendance monitoring, curfew and check-in management, and violation documentation with escalation workflows.
Supervision Features: Staff check-in scheduling, location monitoring integration, employment verification tracking, community service hour documentation, and restitution payment tracking.
Program Management: Mandatory group attendance tracking, individual counseling session scheduling, educational program participation, vocational training coordination, and life skills assessment.
Transitional Housing Programs
HUD Documentation: Homeless verification, income certification, service plan development, housing barriers assessment, and progress toward permanent housing tracking.
Reporting: HUD APR (Annual Performance Report) generation, HMIS data integration, outcome measurement, length of stay analysis, and housing retention reporting.
Supportive Housing Operations
Accommodation Management: ADA accommodation request tracking, reasonable accommodation implementation, accessibility feature documentation, assistive technology coordination, and environmental modification tracking.
Service Integration: Clinical coordination, medication management, transportation assistance tracking, personal care coordination, and independent living skill development.
Integration Requirements by Facility Type
Healthcare System Integration
Software platforms must connect with the systems your clinical and operational partners already use. Requirements vary by facility type:
- Sober Living Homes: EHR integration, telehealth connectivity, pharmacy management, laboratory systems for drug testing, and mental health provider portals
- Halfway Houses: Correctional health systems, probation officer reporting, court scheduling platforms, legal aid coordination, and mental health/substance abuse treatment providers
- Transitional Housing: Healthcare marketplace systems, community health center integration, public health department connectivity, and Medicaid/Medicare systems
- Supportive Housing: Disability services systems, mental health provider networks, medical equipment suppliers, home healthcare services, and specialized care portals
Financial System Integration
Recovery housing operators manage funding from multiple sources simultaneously. Your software must integrate with government contract billing systems, insurance claim processing, grant reporting platforms, payment processing and collections, and accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero.
Specialized financial needs include private pay processing and scholarship management for sober living homes, DOC/BOP contract billing and work release payroll integration for halfway houses, HUD payment processing and utility assistance coordination for transitional housing, and disability benefits and Medicare/Medicaid billing for supportive housing.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
Multi-Level Compliance Tracking
Recovery housing operators must satisfy compliance requirements at federal, state, and local levels simultaneously. Your software should track all three.
Federal: HIPAA privacy and security compliance, 42 CFR Part 2 substance abuse treatment records, Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and HUD program compliance where applicable.
State: Recovery residence certification standards, halfway house licensing requirements, transitional housing program standards, supportive housing regulations, and staff background check and training requirements.
Local: Zoning and occupancy requirements, fire safety and building codes, business licensing, health department regulations, and community notification requirements.
For comprehensive compliance guidance, read our compliance guide for sober living facilities.
Audit and Documentation Support
Effective software maintains comprehensive audit trails including timestamped user action logs, data change tracking with user identification, document access and modification logs, system security event monitoring, and AI-powered compliance violation alerts. Document management features should include electronic storage and retrieval, automated expiration alerts, version control for policy updates, secure sharing with authorized parties, and backup with disaster recovery.
Implementation Planning
Single Facility vs. Multi-Facility Timelines
| Implementation Type | Timeline | Complexity | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single facility, single type | 4-8 weeks | Low to moderate | Focused staff training, straightforward data migration |
| Multi-facility, single type | 6-10 weeks | Moderate | Phased rollout across locations, consistent configuration |
| Multi-facility, multi-type | 8-16 weeks | Moderate to high | Type-specific customization, multiple training programs |
| Enterprise (10+ facilities) | 12-20 weeks | High | Dedicated project manager, complex integrations, pilot testing |
Implementation Best Practices
Phase 1 — Planning and Preparation (Weeks 1-2): Conduct a needs assessment by facility type, audit current systems and inventory your data, define staff roles and responsibilities, identify integration requirements, and establish success metrics.
Phase 2 — System Configuration (Weeks 3-4): Customize the platform for each facility type, set up user roles and permissions, configure workflows and test them, develop and test integrations, and prepare data migration.
Phase 3 — Training and Testing (Weeks 5-6): Deliver facility-type specific staff training, run user acceptance testing, verify data integrity, optimize performance, and validate security compliance.
Phase 4 — Go-Live and Optimization (Weeks 7-8): Deploy in phases starting with one facility, monitor in real time with dedicated support, resolve issues and optimize workflows, collect user feedback, and measure against your success metrics.
For a real-world example of how one operator navigated this process, see our technology adoption case study.
ROI Analysis by Facility Type
Sober Living Homes — 24-Bed Facility
| Category | Annual Impact |
|---|---|
| Increased occupancy (87% to 94%) | +$18,200 revenue |
| Faster billing and reduced errors | +$12,400 revenue |
| Improved insurance claim processing | +$8,600 revenue |
| Administrative time reduction | $22,000 savings |
| AI-powered compliance automation | $6,500 savings |
| Reduced billing errors and write-offs | $4,200 savings |
| Total annual benefit | $71,900 |
| Annual software cost | $4,200 |
| Net annual benefit | $67,700 |
| First-year ROI | 1,512% |
Halfway Houses — 32-Bed DOC-Contracted Facility
| Category | Annual Impact |
|---|---|
| Automated DOC reporting (saves 25 hrs/week) | $32,500 savings |
| Reduced compliance violations | $15,000 savings |
| Improved contract renewal rates | +$45,000 revenue |
| Total annual benefit | $92,500 |
| Annual software cost | $5,400 |
| Net annual benefit | $87,100 |
| First-year ROI | 1,513% |
Transitional Housing — 20-Unit HUD-Funded Program
| Category | Annual Impact |
|---|---|
| Faster HUD reporting | $18,000 savings |
| Improved housing outcomes (performance bonuses) | +$25,000 revenue |
| Reduced administrative overhead | $15,000 savings |
| Total annual benefit | $58,000 |
| Annual software cost | $3,600 |
| Net annual benefit | $54,400 |
| First-year ROI | 1,411% |
To track these improvements over time, review our guide on KPIs and metrics for sober living homes.
Making the Right Choice for Your Organization
For Single-Type Operators
Sober Living Homes: Sober Living App provides the most comprehensive feature set. Sobriety Hub is a budget alternative for basic operations. Avoid generic platforms lacking recovery-specific features.
Halfway Houses: Sober Living App is the only platform with DOC compliance automation. Custom development is an alternative for unique DOC requirements, though significantly more expensive.
Transitional Housing: Sober Living App offers comprehensive coverage. PlanStreet is a viable alternative for HUD-only operations without recovery-specific needs.
Supportive Housing: Sober Living App provides accommodation tracking and service coordination. Custom development may be warranted for highly specialized disability services.
For Multi-Type Operators
Organizations running mixed recovery and housing programs need a single platform that supports all facility types from one dashboard. Sober Living App is the only commercially available platform meeting this requirement. The alternative is custom development at budgets starting at $500,000 with 18 to 24 month timelines and dedicated technical staff.
For multi-type operators, a phased rollout by facility type over 12 to 16 weeks is the recommended approach. Start with your highest-volume facility type, stabilize operations, then expand to additional program types.
When to Consider Alternatives
Choose PlanStreet if you operate only transitional housing programs and do not need recovery-specific features.
Choose Sobriety Hub if you operate only basic sober living homes and have significant budget constraints.
Choose custom development if you are a large organization with unique requirements and a technology budget exceeding $500,000.
Getting Started: Your 90-Day Implementation Roadmap
Week 1: Assessment
Identify all facility types you operate and list unique requirements for each. Document current pain points and inefficiencies. Gather input from staff at each facility. Request demos from platforms supporting your facility types.
Weeks 2-4: Evaluation
Test each platform with facility-specific workflows. Evaluate compliance and reporting capabilities. Verify integration with your current systems. Speak with current customers operating similar facility types. Calculate total cost of ownership and project ROI based on your specific operations.
Weeks 5-8: Selection and Setup
Choose your platform based on comprehensive evaluation. Negotiate contract terms and implementation timeline. Export and clean data from current systems. Configure the platform for each facility type. Set up integrations and test all functionality.
Weeks 9-12: Training and Launch
Conduct facility-type specific staff training. Implement with a pilot group first. Monitor closely and address issues quickly. Expand rollout once stable. Measure results against your success metrics.
For additional guidance on best practices for resident management, including intake workflows and discharge planning, review our companion guide. You can also explore our complete sober living management software guide for additional platform details.
Conclusion
The diversity of recovery housing programs demands software solutions that adapt to multiple facility types, compliance frameworks, and operational models. Generic platforms consistently fail to meet the specialized needs of this industry, and the gap continues to widen as AI-powered compliance, telehealth integration, and automated government reporting become table stakes for competitive operators.
Your selection criteria should prioritize facility-type coverage matching your current and planned programs, compliance automation depth, integration capabilities with your existing systems, and scalability to support growth into new facility types or locations. The ROI data in this guide demonstrates that purpose-built recovery housing software pays for itself within months, not years, making the question not whether to invest but which platform best fits your operation.
Ready to evaluate platforms for your facility types? Schedule a personalized demo with recovery housing specialists who can show you exactly how the platform works for your specific programs.
Want to test drive the most comprehensive solution? Start your free trial of Sober Living App and see why multi-type recovery housing operators nationwide choose it as their management platform.
The information provided in this guide is for educational and operational planning purposes only. It does not constitute legal, medical, or compliance advice. Recovery housing operators should consult with qualified legal and regulatory professionals for guidance specific to their jurisdiction and facility types. Software features, pricing, and capabilities described herein are subject to change. Always verify current offerings directly with vendors before making purchasing decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is recovery housing software?
Recovery housing software is a specialized platform designed to manage operations for sober living homes, halfway houses, transitional housing, and supportive housing programs. It centralizes resident management, billing, compliance tracking, drug testing schedules, and reporting into a single dashboard tailored to recovery housing regulatory requirements.
What is the difference between sober living software and halfway house software?
Sober living software focuses on NARR compliance, voluntary programs, and peer support coordination for recovery residences. Halfway house software adds DOC and BOP reporting, court order compliance tracking, and mandatory program attendance monitoring for court-ordered facilities. Platforms like Sober Living App support both facility types from one account.
Can one platform manage multiple recovery housing types?
Yes, some platforms support all recovery housing types from a single dashboard. Sober Living App manages NARR-certified residences at Levels 1 through 4, halfway houses, transitional housing, and supportive housing programs, eliminating the need for separate systems across your portfolio.
How does recovery housing software help with compliance?
Recovery housing software automates NARR standards monitoring, tracks staff certifications with expiration alerts, generates audit-ready reports, manages drug testing schedules, documents incidents, and maintains HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 compliance with built-in access controls and audit trails.
What ROI can recovery housing operators expect from software?
Operators typically see significant returns within the first year. A 24-bed sober living home can save approximately 32,000 dollars in operational costs and generate 39,000 dollars in additional revenue annually through improved occupancy rates, faster billing cycles, and reduced compliance errors.
How long does it take to implement recovery housing software?
Implementation timelines vary by scope. A single-facility deployment typically takes 4 to 8 weeks including data migration, configuration, and staff training. Multi-facility or multi-program-type implementations require 8 to 16 weeks with phased rollouts by facility type.
Does recovery housing software integrate with EHR systems?
Leading recovery housing platforms integrate with electronic health records, pharmacy management systems, laboratory systems for drug testing, and telehealth platforms. These integrations allow bidirectional data flow so clinical information stays synchronized across systems without manual entry.
What compliance standards should recovery housing software support?
At minimum, recovery housing software should support HIPAA privacy and security, 42 CFR Part 2 for substance abuse records, NARR certification standards, state-level recovery residence requirements, and Fair Housing Act compliance. Halfway house operators also need DOC and BOP reporting capabilities.
Is recovery housing software worth the investment for small operators?
Yes, even single-facility operators benefit from reduced administrative time, fewer billing errors, and automated compliance tracking. Operators running homes with 12 or more beds typically recover their software investment within the first two to three months through efficiency gains alone.
What features matter most when comparing recovery housing platforms?
The five most important evaluation criteria are facility-type coverage matching your programs, compliance automation depth, billing and financial management capabilities, integration with your existing systems, and scalability to support future growth into new facility types or locations.
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