I have lived in a few Oxford Houses in the Richmond area. Oxford House are democratically self-governing and self supporting under the Oxford House Systems of Operations. We pride ourselves on autonomy and helping those in recovery who are serious about stopping and staying clean and sober.

Living in an Oxford House gave me so much more than I could have ever imagine. It’s not just a series of sober living homes. Oxford House shows you how to hold yourself accountable. It’s taught me so much more than that. I have learned how to account for all my finances, budget and how to change my behaviors when they were damaging to my growth and my sobriety. You just don’t find that anywhere.

After living in Oxford House for two plus years (because there is no time limit like there is elsewhere), I am now out on my own. I am still clean. I am approaching three years clean, and I am still very involved; so that I can help others stay on the path of sobriety. Oxford House isn’t just a series of sober living houses, we are a family; we are a support system for those who may have never experienced it before. It’s changed my life and my perspective.

I support the rules that keep people safe, but rules that require staff or assume every home is a commercial business would keep Oxford Houses from operating in Virginia, even research shows our model gets the best results. Please change those rules and clarify whether house members are considered the operator.

We are also the only sober living community who does not have a time restriction on how long one can stay in one of our houses.

The Oxford House model works!