My experience in Oxford House was the most formative in my recovery. It is not a program, it became a home for myself and countless others finding their way back into society. I believe the model works the way it is and there is evidence to back this up. Oxford Houses are democratically self-governing and self-supporting under the Oxford House system of operations. I was able to discover who I am, what I want, and what I deserve because of Oxford House. I was able to rebuild, and create a new life due to the support and relationships with the other women in my house and houses around me. It truly is a community unlike any other. 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.