The Basics
Founded in 2015 by Stephen Sheldon, The Living House provides safe and structured sober living for men and women in early recovery. The Living House organization is comprised of six houses in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. These include three in Lowell, two in Worcester, with one for women, and one in New Bedford. At The Living House, the male-only residence in Worcester provides the most structure, while the others follow the self-governed Oxford House Model.
Accommodations and Amenities
The Living House accommodates approximately seven clients in each house at a time. The residences are old homes. The New Bedford Stick-style house was built in 1855, and one white Lowell residence is a Cape Cod style house. The interiors are newly renovated, and decorated with contemporary style furnishings. Clients are paired in neatly furnished rooms, which include twin beds, dressers, nightstands, lamps and windows, which provide ample light. There are some single rooms available at an extra cost.
At The Living House, residents are responsible for their own groceries, and meals are prepared in fully equipped kitchens. Amenities include cable TV, Wi-Fi, all utilities, house computers with Internet, and laundry facilities. House managers live on the premises. The centrally located homes are in close proximity to 12-step meetings, shopping and public transportation.
Rules and Regulations
The Worcester house requires that clients be clean and sober for a minimum of 30 days and have graduated from a residential treatment facility. Applicants to the other homes are considered on a case-by-case basis. Prior to admission, clients must undergo an interview, as well as an initial drug and alcohol screening. Clients on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), including Suboxone and methadone are not accepted.
Weekly requirements include attending four 12-step meetings, being at the house meeting and performing daily household chores. Clients must find a sponsor within two weeks of arrival. Additionally, they must work full time, volunteer or attend school for a minimum of 30 hours each week. Unemployed clients must be out of the house Mondays through Fridays, between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm looking for work. Disabled residents must volunteer for 25 hours per week. The curfew is 11 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
The other houses parallel the peer-run and democratic Oxford House model. Residents also typically have more sobriety under their belt. Requirements include attending regular 12-step meetings, obtaining sponsors, being at the house meeting, performing household chores, and following the curfew set by the house. During the week, they must be out of the house between 10 am and 3 pm. During that time, they must be looking for work or working, volunteering, going to 12-step meetings, meeting with sponsors or attending school. At The Living House, random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. Residents who relapse are immediately evicted from the premises.
Extras
The Living House is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Sober Housing (MASH), which stresses high standards from its affiliates.
In Summary
The Living House is a great and highly affordable option for clients who want to live in unique East Coast homes, while they work on their steps. At this time, The Living House has limited availabilities, and there is a waiting list. Still, this remains an excellent option for men and women in the Boston area.
The Living House
97 Central St, Ste 212
Lowell, MA 01852
The Living House Cost: $480-$620 (30 days). Reach The Living House by phone at (978) 656-1882 or by email at info@livinghouse.org. Find The Living House at Facebook
Do you have a complaint or review of The Living House to add? Use the comments area below to add your Living House review.
Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
