My name is Nicole and I have lived in Oxford House Ann Guthmiller for the past 2 years in Henrico Virginia. Oxford Houses are democratically self-governing and self-supporting under the Oxford House system of operations. I am currently the Treasurer for Chapter 22, and having these positions and sharing the responsibilities of keeping our houses and chapters going ourselves is so crucial to why it works. We work together side by side to pay our bills, take care of the house, and take care of ourselves and each other. and In comparison, nowhere I’ve ever been has even come close to Oxford House, and I truly believe it is due to how we currently operate. I have my life, my job, a car, grown my credit, the accountability I’ve obtained by being a member here is something I’ve never had anywhere else. We help each other grow and give back to the next person and the community I’ve experienced is without a doubt thanks to the model. It would be absolutely heartbreaking if Oxford House were to change or go away because I know for a fact how many lives have been changed and saved because they exist and operate on the foundation they do.

I support 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 though research shows our model gets the best results. Please change those rules, and please clarify whether house members are considered the operator.

Thank you for listening.