Knowledge Center
A place for trusted information, resources, and tools to inspire hope and support recovery.
3. Strengthening Recovery Housing
Nonprofits, housing providers, and community leaders can access evidence-based resources, toolkits, and best practices for creating safe, stable, and sustainable recovery residences.
Trusted Resources
These trusted organizations provide experience-informed guidance and resources to strengthen recovery housing models and practices.
What is Recovery Housing
Developed in alignment with standards and guidance from trusted partners such as the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences (WVARR), recovery housing plays a distinct role in the continuum of recovery support. When someone is seeking help for a substance use problem, the terms treatment and recovery are often used interchangeably, but they describe different stages of care and support.
​
Treatment and Recovery Are Not the Same
Treatment programs are typically clinical and time-limited, offering medical or therapeutic services such as detox, inpatient care, outpatient counseling, or medication-assisted treatment. These services are delivered by licensed providers in institutional settings and are often covered by insurance.
​
Recovery Housing Focuses on Long-Term Recovery
Recovery housing provides non-clinical, supportive living environments designed to help people achieve and maintain long-term recovery. Often referred to as recovery residences or sober living homes, these settings emphasize peer support, accountability, and daily structure rather than medical treatment.
​
Different Levels of Support for Different Needs
Recovery residences vary in the amount of structure and support they provide, recognizing that recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Certified recovery residences follow established standards and offer different levels of support so individuals can find a setting that matches their needs, recovery capital, and stage of recovery.
Peer Support Is at the Core
At a minimum, recovery housing is grounded in peer-to-peer support and an abstinence-based approach. Recovery residences are sober living environments with shared community expectations that promote safety, accountability, and mutual respect, while allowing residents freedom of choice regarding clinical services.
Learn more
Building Strong Foundations for Recovery
The Fletcher Group has been an invaluable resource to Seed Sower and we encourage exploring their resources.
​​
Approach to Recovery Housing
There was no roadmap for the recovery housing model Dr. Ernie Fletcher launched years ago as Governor of Kentucky—just as there was no standard approach when The Fletcher Group was created to advance that model nationwide. Guided by data, lived experience, and real-world results, they focus on what truly works in substance use disorder recovery. Their flexible, evidence-based approach makes them a trusted partner for organizations committed to meaningful, lasting impact.
A Comprehensive Recovery Ecosystem
The Fletcher Group’s Recovery Ecosystem model integrates safe, sober recovery housing with peer support and an on-site continuum of care grounded in evidence-based best practices. Their technical assistance provides end-to-end expertise to help organizations develop debt-free, financially sustainable housing that supports individuals in recovery and strengthens families and communities. View model.​
​
​​Resources
The Fletcher Group offers a wide range of ready-to-use resources, including an online learning center with 100+ courses and NAADAC-approved credits, original research and peer-reviewed publications, and practical webinars, videos, toolkits, and guides. All resources are designed around real client needs and are easily accessible to support meaningful, real-world impact. View resources.
Seed Sower’s Executive Director, Jay Phillips, recently presented a webinar for The Fletcher Group. The recording is linked below. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​