Oxford House is a unique model of self-supporting, self-governing recovery residences where individuals in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs), including those with co-occurring mental health diagnoses, live together, each contributing an equal share of expenses. They democratically operate the house according to the Oxford House system of operations detailed in the Oxford House Manual. There are no paid staff, outside operators, or profit motive. Oxford House, Inc. (OHI) is the national nonprofit credentialing entity for all Oxford Houses. OHI provides the charter framework, technical assistance, and organizational infrastructure that allows individual houses to operate with consistency and accountability while preserving their democratic autonomy. Oxford House began in 1975 in Silver Spring, Maryland and today there are over 4,200 Oxford Houses with over 32,000 members across the United States. The Oxford House model is one of the most rigorously studied forms of recovery housing in the country and is widely recognized as the gold standard of evidence-based recovery housing. Longitudinal research funded by the National Institutes of Health and conducted by DePaul University has demonstrated one-year (86.5%) and two-year (69%) abstinence rates unequalled by other housing models. Additionally, research indicates a reduction in recidivism three times lower than usual conditions of care and a cost-benefit analysis showing a per-person net benefit of over $41,000 (adjusted to 2025 dollars). It is the only recovery housing model accepted to SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. Oxford House has partnered with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) since 1990 — one of the longest-standing state-level recovery housing partnerships in the country. Today, Virginia is home to 186 Oxford Houses providing 1,518 beds for individuals in recovery, with houses located throughout the Commonwealth including in the greater Richmond area. These homes offer members a stable, accountable, and affordable foundation as they rebuild their lives, reconnect with their communities, and sustain long-term recovery.
