The Basics
The Second Step Supportive Housing Program (SSSHP) has been providing housing for men in St. Paul, Minnesota since 1997. Founded by an addict in recovery, the goal at SSSHP is to provide a stable, supportive, sober living environment for guys in early recovery. No counseling is offered through the houses, but a set of rules and criteria for residents serves as a structural foundation and on-site managers, who are in recovery, serve as additional support to clients.
Accommodations and Amenities
Each of SSSHP’s houses sleeps between seven and nine, including a residential manager who lives on-site. While SSSHP houses all have a combination of double and single occupancy rooms, as a precaution against isolation, newcomers share a room with someone else. Single occupancy rooms are provided based on seniority and success within the recovery program. Each house comes fully furnished. Clients are provided with a bed and dresser, but must bring their own bedding, clothing and toiletries. There are full kitchens, but groceries are the resident’s own responsibility. They are also responsible for doing their own laundry with washers and dryers on-site.
Rules and Regulations
Residents of SSSHP’s houses are expected to have a minimum of 30 days sober and be actively participating in a 12-step program. That means attending at least one 12-step meeting per week, actively seeking and using a sponsor.
Residents must also attend a weekly house meeting and contribute to a harmonious house environment or risk being expelled from the program. Residents pay “programming fees” as opposed to rent, thus they have no lease and can be asked to leave at any time for not obeying rules or living up to house expectations. The fees for all of the houses are $560 per month plus a $375 “security/sobriety/compliance” deposit—the latter is returned if all program expectations are met.
Since SSSHP offers no formal clinical treatment; instead, each residential manager serves as an informal guide, drawing from personal experience in recovery. The house manager can also be integral in introducing new clients to the sober community in St. Paul.
Extras
All of the SSSHP houses are in the same neighborhood, the West 7th area of St. Paul. This area is prime recovery territory, with nearby 12-step meetings and clubhouses. Many residents of SSSHP are alumni of the local Fellowship Club rehab center, run by the Betty Ford Foundation.
In Summary
SSSHP housing is great inexpensive option for a “fresh-out-of-rehab” guy on a budget looking for a great first-step toward complete independence and sobriety. The tightknit community of recovering addicts means more established residents help newcomers. The company’s nearly 20-year history of providing housing for those in recovery and its MASH certification mean that SSSHP housing is both stable and meets a certain level of quality.
Second Step Supportive Housing Program
1164 7th St W
St Paul, MN 55116
Second Step Supportive Housing Program Cost: $560 (30 days). Reach Second Step Supportive Housing Program by phone at (651) 343-9352 or by email at cybernigthwalker@gmail.com. Find Second Step Supportive Housing Program on Facebook and Google+
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