I live in Oxford House  Chimborazo in Richmond. Oxford Houses are democratically self-governing and self-supporting under the Oxford House system of operations. Living in my home with other peers has helped in my recovery by holding me accountable when I have done something that could have affected my sobriety. Things that I have learned living in Oxford is the importance of making sure that bills are paid and deposits are taken to the bank. I have held all positions in Oxford and know the importance of each position and the importance of each, meaning teaching us to be productive members of society. We hold one another accountable and take responsibility for our own actions. Things that have changed in my life since moving into Oxford house is that I was able to get my driver's license back, my son is now back in the home with me living full time and in school, hasn’t missed a day since the beginning of the year and I have been given the opportunity to work for a large grocery chain. Without the help of Oxford none of these would have been attainable. Oxford has given me my life back and I will forever be grateful for them.

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.