Hello,

As a case manager, former crisis residential professional, and the son of a current Oxford House participant, I am extremely concerned about the proposed regulations affecting Oxford Houses. These proposed rules strike at the heart of what Oxford House is and risk disrupting the housing, recovery, and sobriety of thousands of Virginians.

I understand that the intent of these regulations may be to address bad actors within the mental health and substance use treatment space, and that goal is certainly commendable. However, I strongly believe Oxford House is the wrong target.

Oxford House operates under a self-governing model in which residents have a voice in how their home operates and hold one another accountable. In my professional experience, I have seen firsthand how effective this model can be. As a case manager and formerly as a crisis residential professional, I have worked with individuals who benefited from the structure, accountability, and stability that Oxford provides. It gives people the opportunity to maintain their sobriety while also developing the independence and life skills necessary to rebuild their lives.

Oxford House is not simply a collection of individuals struggling with addiction living under the same roof. It is a structured recovery environment built around peer accountability, responsibility, and mutual support. For many people who have worked hard to achieve sobriety, it provides an equitable opportunity to maintain that progress while becoming independent and contributing members of their communities.

On a personal level, Oxford House has also been a blessing to my family. As the son of a current participant, I have seen the value and support that this organization can provide. Oxford gives people hope when they may feel that they have very little left to hold onto, while providing the accountability and peer support necessary to continue moving forward in recovery.

I respectfully ask that you reconsider the proposed regulations and carefully consider their potential impact on self-governing recovery homes like Oxford House. If the goal is to address harmful practices within the mental health and addiction treatment system, regulations should be carefully targeted toward those problems without undermining a recovery model that has helped so many Virginians maintain sobriety, stable housing, and independence.

Thank you for your time and consideration.