Oxford House - Padawan

Oxford House, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1975 that pioneered the self-run, self-supported model of sober living homes for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, emphasizing recovery, responsibility, and replication. Originating when residents of a closing halfway house in Silver Spring, Maryland, took over the property to create a democratic, drug- and alcohol-free living environment without time limits or external authority, Oxford House now operates over 3,500 chartered residences across the United States and internationally, housing more than 24,000 people in recovery at any time. The Oxford House Model is an evidence-based approach that fosters long-term sobriety through communal support, shared responsibilities, and active participation in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, while accommodating diverse populations including those with co-occurring mental health issues, veterans, women with children, and individuals from various cultural backgrounds. By promoting self-efficacy, leadership, and financial independence—where residents pay equal shares for expenses and elect officers with six-month terms—Oxford House empowers members to rebuild their lives, reduce recidivism, and achieve outcomes unmatched in traditional recovery housing, as validated by extensive research from institutions like DePaul University showing significantly lower relapse rates, higher employment, and reduced incarceration compared to usual care.