The High Cost of Short-Term Thinking in Recovery Housing

Originally posted April 30, 2024

Shortcomings of Incomplete Solutions

Recovery is a complex multi-dimensional journey requiring more than a deficits-based approach (detox and residential inpatient and outpatient care). A whole-person, strengths-based approach that includes housing, peer support services, community and civic engagement, vocational training and employment pathways, mutual aid support and a number of other non-clinical supports as part of a Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC). Safe, supportive housing is the anchor for these services in most communities. It’s also a very difficult anchor to financially sustain as it is not currently a Medicaid or other insurance covered service. 

As executive director of Seed Sower Inc in West Virginia, recovery housing is top of mind every day. It’s a core part of our mission. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) declares recovery housing an evidence-based practice if it meets nationally defined standards as outlined by the National Alliance of Recovery Residences (NARR). Recognizing the importance of extended housing for ongoing recovery compels us to explore financial strategies to make it feasible.

Financial Wisdom of Long-Term Support

Investment in long-term recovery housing is not just a moral duty but a sound economic strategy. Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows significant savings in criminal justice costs and healthcare, with every dollar spent on addiction treatment programs returning $4 to $7 in savings. While recovery housing is not considered a direct form of medical treatment, it is a critical component of broader treatment and the recovery support ecosystem. 

The cost to a community when someone enters recovery multiple times as opposed to achieving and sustaining recovery (1-5 years) or stable recovery (5+ years) is higher both economically and socially. Repeated recovery attempts increase tangible impacts on healthcare expenses, social services and support systems, criminal justice systems, and productivity losses. It also increases negative community impact through increased recidivism, housing insecurity, family and social dynamics, and increased criminal justice involvement. While harder to quantify, the emotional and psychological toll on families and communities is also increased when recovery is not sustained. 

Outcomes regarding reduced relapse rates, improved employment rates, and better overall health and well-being for residents of long-term recovery housing compared to those who do not have access to supportive housing are well documented. According to NIDA, stable, drug-free housing is crucial for individuals trying to maintain their recovery.

West Virginia's Landscape 

As my staff and board explore the broader implications of our mission, it becomes increasingly clear that our efforts have both national relevance and urgent local significance. Nowhere is this more evident than in West Virginia, where the landscape of recovery is marked by particularly stark challenges. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that West Virginia’s age-adjusted mortality rate for overdose was measured at a staggering 90.9 deaths per 100,000. That is 180% higher than the national average (32.4) and 60% higher than the next highest state, Tennessee. West Virginia represents only 0.5% of the US population but accounted for over 1.5% of the overdose deaths in 2021. 

Proposed legislation to extend recovery housing coverage and funding signals hope. U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced the Safe and Secure Housing for Opioid Recovery and Enduring Stability (Safe SHORES) Act of 2024 which would reauthorize the Recovery Housing Program (RHP), first enacted as part of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. The legislation would extend the program until 2029 and increase authorized funding to at least $50 million per year. The RHP’s authorization expired in 2023. 

This is a call to action for policymakers to recognize the long-term benefits of recovery housing and approve legislation to provide funding. In addition to federal and state sources, funding requires creative, collaborative efforts. Public-private partnerships, philanthropic efforts, and community initiatives are all vital. 

Mobilizing for Change

Investing in long-term recovery housing goes beyond merely providing shelter; it directly addresses the severe impacts of short-term thinking on individuals, families, and entire communities. This investment not only aids those in their most vulnerable moments but also strengthens community health and prosperity.

In West Virginia, where the need is particularly great, embracing a unified approach is crucial. My experiences in the nonprofit sector have often tested my optimism. However, West Virginia stands at a crossroads, with a significant chance to demonstrate the vast benefits of a comprehensive, community-based recovery support system, embodying a model for holistic care with long-term recovery housing serving as the foundation for change in our communities.  

"We don't recover alone. We recover together," affirms Jay Phillips, Executive Director of Seed Sower

Jay Phillips

Jay is committed to helping people in recovery. He serves as executive director and board president for Seed Sower Inc in West Virginia. He believes: "Recovery isn’t an “I” thing or a “you” thing.  It’s a “we” thing.  It’s a community effort that leverages the collective strengths and talents of local and regional governments, community organizations, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals to work together toward a future far less burdened by the destructive and pervasive nature of SUD.