Oxford House - Aurora South
207 Pruyn Street, Aurora, IN 47001
Oxford House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1975 that provides peer-run, self-supporting, and substance-free recovery housing for individuals recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.
Originating from a group of residents who took over a closing halfway house in Silver Spring, Maryland, Oxford House pioneered a democratic model where residents elect officers, share responsibilities, and enforce a strict no-drugs-or-alcohol policy, ensuring immediate expulsion for violations to protect the sobriety of all members.
With no time limits on stays—averaging about a year but often longer—the model emphasizes long-term recovery, responsibility, and replication, now encompassing over 3,500 self-governed houses across 47 states and internationally, housing more than 24,000 individuals annually.
This evidence-based approach, validated by extensive research including DePaul University studies showing 80% long-term sobriety rates, superior employment outcomes, and reduced criminal involvement compared to usual care, serves diverse populations including those with co-occurring mental health disorders, veterans, women with children, and special groups like the deaf or Native Americans, fostering leadership, self-efficacy, and community support while encouraging active participation in AA/NA for sustained recovery.
What we treat
Treatment & Programs
Levels of Care
Oxford House - Aurora South operates as a long-term sober living environment where residents can safely stay as long as they need. Serving as a crucial step in aftercare support, this shared home allows individuals to slowly rebuild their lives at their own pace. The model emphasizes that members face no pressure to leave as long as they willingly follow the community rules.
Therapies
Clinical therapies and professional medical interventions are not provided within the house itself. Instead, members are strongly encouraged to actively participate in outside 12-Step meetings and community self-help groups to maintain their behavioral changes.
Addictions
The peer-run model is built specifically for individuals recovering from chronic drug addiction and reliance on alcohol. A foundational rule across all houses dictates an absolute requirement for strict, unbroken sobriety. Any resident who returns to active drug or alcohol use is immediately expelled to protect the environment for the rest of the group.
Conditions
While primarily focused on helping those with substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder, the community provides a remarkably stable foundation for those with overlapping challenges. Residents managing a co-occurring mental illness have successfully used this supportive setting to maintain their daily routines and secure lasting sobriety. The egalitarian home structure helps individuals navigate the complexities of long-term recovery without feeling alone.
Issues
The residential peer model directly interrupts the cycle of homelessness and criminal justice issues that so often accompany active addiction. Residents work closely together to build a powerful sober social network that fosters genuine accountability and personal growth. By participating in this collaborative daily environment, members frequently experience significant improvements in finding steady employment and regaining basic life stability.
Programs
The core of Oxford House - Aurora South is its evidence-based, peer-led recovery community model. Everything inside the house is purely abstinence-oriented, governed internally by residents who elect house officers to serve six-month terms. This unique participatory democracy approach is validated by extensive academic research demonstrating remarkably high rates of long-term success.
On-site
Amenities
Life in this home mirrors a typical single-family residence, complete with everyday comforts like cable TV and functional shared living spaces. Members handle their own housekeeping and take on daily chores to keep the property clean and running smoothly. Many bedrooms feature shared room arrangements, which deliberately discourages isolation and integrates newcomers into the household rhythm.
Coverage
Payment
Financial responsibility is a cornerstone of the structure at Oxford House - Aurora South, relying entirely on self-payment rather than specialized health insurance. Every resident contributes an Equal Expense Share (EES), which divides the monthly rent, utilities, and basic household staples evenly among the group. This completely self-supporting approach builds personal independence and keeps the living arrangement incredibly affordable.
Please contact the facility directly to verify insurance coverage and payment options. Many facilities offer free insurance verification.
Eligibility
Who We Serve
Serving the local community of Aurora, Indiana, this location provides gender-specific recovery housing for adults seeking a completely fresh start. The house warmly welcomes individuals from incredibly diverse backgrounds, including veterans and those returning straight from treatment centers or incarceration. Every accepted member gains an equal, respected voice from their very first day, regardless of their past.
Additional Services
Beyond basic housing assistance, members gain access to a vast nationwide network of peer support. The broader organization provides regular technical assistance to ensure the home’s democratic processes remain healthy and effective. Once residents eventually decide to move out, they are highly encouraged to join a thriving alumni program to mentor newer members.
About
Facility Info
Operating as a chartered nonprofit organization, Oxford House - Aurora South functions entirely without an outside house manager or property owner. Nestled in a residential neighborhood in Aurora, the structured environment gives members the quiet dignity of a traditional home. The house governs itself autonomously while still remaining safely connected to a broader regional framework.
Credentials
Accreditations
The broader network’s system of operations is officially recognized as an evidence-based practice by federal bodies like SAMHSA. This time-tested model consistently maintains high standards of peer governance and accountability without the need for traditional medical facility licensing.
- 207 Pruyn Street, Aurora, IN 47001
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