Why Evaluation Matters
Not all sober living homes are equal. The quality of recovery housing varies dramatically — from well-run homes that genuinely support recovery to poorly managed operations that do more harm than good. As a case manager, your evaluation of a sober living home can be the difference between your client's continued recovery and a setback.
The good news is that evaluating a sober living home is a learnable skill. With the right framework and the right questions, you can identify quality operators, spot red flags, and make confident referrals.
Understanding NARR Levels
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) defines four levels of recovery housing. Understanding these levels helps you match clients with the appropriate level of support:
Level 1 — Peer-Run
- Democratically run by residents
- Minimal staff involvement
- Peer-based accountability
- Best for people with strong recovery foundations who need an affordable, sober environment
Level 2 — Monitored
- House manager or staff presence
- Defined house rules and structure
- Drug testing and curfews
- Best for people transitioning from treatment who need structure and accountability
Level 3 — Supervised
- Clinical or certified staff oversight
- Life skills programming
- More intensive monitoring and support
- Best for people who need more support than a standard sober living environment
Level 4 — Service Provider
- Licensed or certified treatment integrated with housing
- Clinical services on-site
- Highest level of structure and support
- Essentially a residential treatment facility
At Rooted Co-Living, we operate as a structured recovery residence with staff oversight, house rules, drug testing, life skills programming, and case management support. Most of what we offer aligns with Level 2 standards, providing the right balance of structure and independence for people in early to mid-recovery.
Understanding which level your client needs is the first step in making a good referral.
The Site Visit: What to Look For
A site visit is the single most valuable evaluation tool available to you. Never refer a client to a home you have not visited or thoroughly vetted. Here is what to assess:
Physical Environment
- Cleanliness — Is the home clean? Not just surface clean — check bathrooms, kitchen, and common areas. A clean home signals management that cares about the environment.
- Safety — Are there working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and clear exit paths? Is the home up to code?
- Furnishings — Are bedrooms furnished? Is furniture in reasonable condition? Are there adequate beds, dressers, and personal storage?
- Maintenance — Is the home well-maintained? Or are there signs of deferred maintenance — leaky faucets, broken fixtures, worn flooring?
- Kitchen and meals — Is the kitchen stocked? Are meals provided? If so, what quality?
- Neighborhood — Is the home in a residential neighborhood? Is it in proximity to bus routes, meetings, employment?
Capacity and Living Conditions
- How many people per room? Overcrowding is a red flag. More than two people per bedroom in most cases suggests the operator is prioritizing revenue over quality.
- Bathroom ratio — Is there adequate bathroom access for the number of residents?
- Common space — Is there shared living space for house meetings and socializing?
- Storage — Does each person have adequate personal storage for belongings?
- Laundry — Is laundry available on-site?
Organizational Indicators
- Written house rules — Ask to see them. Are they clear, reasonable, and consistently enforced?
- Drug testing protocol — How often? Random or scheduled? What testing method?
- Staffing — Who manages the home? What is their background? Are they in recovery themselves?
- Documentation — Does the home maintain records? Incident reports? Drug test logs?
- Resident agreements — Is there a written agreement that residents sign? Review it.
Questions to Ask the Operator
During your visit or phone evaluation, ask these questions:
About the Operation
- How long have you been operating?
- Are you affiliated with NARR or any state recovery housing organization?
- What is your staffing model? Who is on-site and when?
- What is your capacity? How many current residents?
- What is your average length of stay?
About Accountability
- What is your drug testing policy?
- What happens when someone relapses?
- How are house rules enforced?
- What is your discharge policy?
- Are residents required to attend recovery meetings?
About Support
- What support services are included?
- Do you provide or connect residents to employment support?
- Do you accommodate residents on MAT?
- What is your approach to mental health needs?
- How do you handle conflicts between residents?
About Communication
- How do you communicate with referring case managers?
- Will you provide progress reports?
- What triggers an immediate notification to the referral source?
- What is the best way to reach you with concerns?
About Cost
- What is the total cost? Are there any fees beyond the stated rate?
- Is a security deposit required? Is it refundable?
- What happens if a resident cannot pay?
- Do you accept any forms of financial assistance?
Red Flags to Watch For
Based on years of experience in the recovery housing field, here are warning signs that a sober living home may not be operating in the best interest of its residents:
Serious Red Flags
- No drug testing or only testing when there is suspicion — lack of routine testing suggests lack of commitment to a substance-free environment
- Overcrowding — too many beds crammed into rooms, inadequate bathroom access
- No written rules or agreements — indicates a lack of structure and accountability
- Operator is evasive about questions — unwillingness to answer direct questions is a major concern
- No site visit allowed — any home that will not let you visit should be eliminated from consideration
- Financial exploitation — hidden fees, non-refundable deposits, charges for services not provided
- Kickback arrangements — the operator offers incentives for referrals (this is illegal in many contexts and always unethical)
Yellow Flags
- High turnover — if the average stay is very short, it may indicate problems with the environment or management
- No connection to recovery community — a sober living home should encourage meeting attendance and community engagement
- Isolated location — far from public transportation, meetings, employment, and services
- Staff with no recovery or behavioral health background — while not required, experienced staff provide better support
- No system for handling emergencies — the operator should have clear protocols for medical emergencies, mental health crises, and safety incidents
Building Your Referral Network
As a case manager, having a vetted network of sober living homes you trust is invaluable. Build this network by:
- Visiting multiple homes — do not rely on a single option
- Tracking client outcomes — which homes produce the best results for your clients?
- Maintaining relationships — regular communication with operators builds trust and improves care coordination
- Seeking peer recommendations — ask other case managers which homes they trust
- Staying current — revisit homes periodically, as quality can change with staff turnover or ownership changes
Evaluate Rooted Co-Living
We invite case managers and referral partners to evaluate Rooted Co-Living for themselves. We welcome site visits, phone consultations, and questions. We are confident that what you will find is a clean, well-managed, structured recovery home that genuinely supports our guests' recovery journeys.
- Location: Corona, CA (Inland Empire / Riverside County)
- Cost: $1,200/month, no security deposit, all-inclusive
- Structure: Curfew hours, random drug testing, house meetings, life skills programming
- Support: Peer support, case management, employment readiness
- Contact: (949) 565-5285
Submit a referral at rootedcoliving.com/refer or schedule a tour to see our homes in person.