Minnesota can be an excellent place to open a sober living center (also known as a recovery residence) for operators who are just starting out in the “halfway house” space.
If you’re considering opening a sober living home in Minnesota, it is advantageous to get acquainted with the Minnesota Association of Sober Living Homes, as there are many resources available - some free and some members-only - through this organization.
While the state does not require licensing or certification at this point for sober living homes, recent moves in the Minnesota legislature indicate that this is likely to change in the near future.
It’s also important to research the municipality in which you intend to operate before purchasing the home or signing the lease. Some cities regulate sober living homes in Minnesota, while others do not.
In this post, we will dive into the details on all of these current issues facing Minnesota sober living homes operators. Read on to get up-to-date information about the situation before making your next move.
Minnesota Association of Sober Living Homes is a Valuable Resource for Recovery Residence Operators
MASH is short for Minnesota Association of Sober Living Homes, Inc. The St Paul-based organization exists to give a “unified voice for owners of sober houses in situations where a public voice became necessary.” It is a NARR affiliate.
MASH’s website is rich with free resources for sober living home providers. MASH maintains a large, public list of members with detailed information about rent payments as well as deposits. This information is very helpful when conducting market research on existing sober living in the state. The rental income information, in particular, is very useful for predicting profit margins. The site also offers free templates for many documents that sober living home operators must create, such as good neighbor policies, relapse policies, residents’ bill of rights, weekly schedules, sober living home manager contracts and medication management policies.
MASH certifies sober living homes via an online application called Certemy. You must email will@mnsoberhomes.org to get a link to the application. All applicants must pay a $250 fee for homes with up to 10 beds. Every additional home is $50 and every additional bed after the first 10 beds adds an additional $10. An application processing fee, which also covers the physical inspection, is also due upon application. That nonrefundable fee is $100.
There is No Requirement to Get Your Sober Living Home Certified or Licensed in Minnesota
Minnesota sober living homes are currently not required to get licensed or certified in order to operate in the state. As such, sober living homes in Minnesota have a negative reputation for being unruly, unregulated, and dangerous places, although the reality of the situation is likely less severe than NIMBYs make it seem. The Minnesota Department of Health issues licensing for residential substance abuse treatment programs as well as supervised group homes for those suffering from mental illness, but they do not regulate or license sober living homes.
However, Minnesota is Likely to See Sober Living Home Regulation Very Soon
It seems likely that recovery residences will see regulation in the very near future. In 2022, the Minnesota legislature began making gestures towards their desire to begin regulating the sober living home community in the state. The first signs of this movement came when the legislature instructed the Minnesota Department of Human Services to form a “work group” to study existing homes. This working group has been formed and is in the process of compiling a report on their findings. This report will touch on:
How to expand access to sober living in Minnesota
How to improve culturally specific response and enhance person-centered sober living
Evaluating possible future oversight of recovery residences in the state
Addressing consumer protections for sober living homes residents
Check For City Regulation for Minnesota Sober Living Homes
While the state does not have a licensing program for sober living homes, some cities, like Andover, still do.
For example, in Andover, homes must:
Complete a signed application
Pay a $75 yearly fee for each home
Provide a floor plan
Provide a management plan to establish the “legitimacy” of the house
Provide a drug-free/crime-free lease addendum that all tenants are made to sign
Considering Opening a Minnesota Recovery Residence? We Help Sober Living Succeed.
Sober Living App makes it easier - and more profitable - to operate sober living homes.
Our all-in-one app handles rent collection, admissions, property management, residents’ care coordination, community contacts, transportation details, calendars, staff, alumni and more - all from the convenience of your phone.
Claim your free trial today and see why more sober living homes prefer the Sober Living App.