Oxford House - Eden-Coe

Oxford House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1975 that provides peer-run, self-sustaining, and substance-free housing for individuals recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. Originating when a group of residents in a closing halfway house in Silver Spring, Maryland, took over the property and established the first Oxford House, the organization has grown to over 3,500 self-governed homes across 47 states, housing more than 24,000 residents at any time, with hundreds of thousands having benefited over nearly 50 years. The Oxford House Model offers a community-based, supportive, and sober living environment where residents democratically elect officers for six-month terms, share equal expenses and responsibilities, and enforce a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use, ensuring immediate expulsion for violations to protect the group's sobriety. Unlike traditional halfway houses, there are no time limits on stays—residents can remain as long as they stay clean, pay their share, and are not disruptive—promoting long-term recovery, responsibility, and replication through mutual support and expansion. This evidence-based approach, validated by extensive research from DePaul University and recognized by SAMHSA, yields unmatched outcomes: over 80% sobriety rates after one year, reduced substance use and incarceration, and improved employment and income compared to usual care. Oxford House serves diverse populations, including those with co-occurring mental health disorders, veterans, women with children, and special groups like LGBTQ+ or deaf individuals, while remaining non-professional, autonomous, and financially self-supporting, unaffiliated with AA or NA but encouraging active participation for sustained recovery.