I am an employee at the local health department who works closely with Peer Recovery Specialists and a comprehensive harm reduction program. These individuals and the program help people with substance use disorders (SUDs), but they cannot work effectively without also helping people get into contact with housing resources. Oxford Houses are invaluable to Southwest Virginia, and it is especially essential to allow them to be self-governed by Peers - people who truly understand the experience of getting into and remaining in recovery. Alongside our local recovery court, I want to ask three things for the state to consider and do: 

1. Change the rules that require paid staff so self-governing houses can follow them.
   2. Say clearly whether the members of an Oxford House are considered the "operator," because many of the rules apply to the operator.
   3. Stop assuming that every recovery home is a commercial business. Don't require business insurance or State Corporation Commission registration from homes that are unincorporated associations.

Thank you.