While halfway houses may have restrictions, they are as flexible as they can be while giving residents a second chance after rehabilitation, to live a productive life Second chances do not come to many, so if you are a recovering addict fresh out of rehab, or an inmate being discharged from prison, consider a halfway house a stopover in your journey to a life without drugs and alcohol. Sometimes a halfway house or sober house is court-ordered for an individual.
The rules and regulations for a halfway house are not nearly as strict as the rules you define for residents living in your home. States are taking a closer look at halfway houses. States are gradually changing laws and regulations or adding some much-needed support to these houses. The rules and regulations are getting more stringent to benefit those owning halfway houses and the residents living there.
If you have the property to convert a home to a quality halfway house and have the funds to get started, know that these houses serve an essential part of society. The ideal halfway house sits on a property in rural areas away from noisy neighbors and the busy city life. You must have the devotion and determination to provide this service to individuals. Owning and operating a halfway house does allow you to bring in income unless you operate a not-for-profit sober home. Either way, owning a sober home proves to be a rewarding experience.
The most important thing to remember is that you do not open a halfway house for the money. This type of thinking does not reap a successful venture. You open a halfway house to give people a second chance in life. You open a halfway house because you care about addicts and the decisions they make. You have a passion for helping the community by opening a halfway house.
Who in the community do you most want to help? You have a decision to make.
- Long-term inmates facing release from jail
- Recovering addicts from drugs or alcohol abuse
- Teen pregnancies
- Abused women who need a haven of safety, peace, and quiet
- Individuals who have a mental diagnosis and cannot live independently but do well under supervision
- Runaways from home due to abuse and a bad home life
- Is your sober home for males or females only or is your home for both genders at the same time?
Each state has different laws, so please research the rules and regulations if you want to learn how to open up a halfway house in your community and consider the following. Find out if private citizens can open and operate a halfway house. Some states say that only churches or some organizations can operate a halfway house. Map out your business plan first and foremost.
- Hire a family attorney to help and advise you of your venture.
- Research the zoning laws and acquire a proper zoning license.
- Research your state’s rules and regulations.
- Find out if you need to apply for a license or permit.
- Does your state require licensed or certified staff?
- Are you going to need an onsite licensed or certified counselor?
- How many residents can you serve at a given time?
- What are your house rules that residents must abide by while living in your house?
- Map out your business plan first and foremost.
- Take into consideration sprinkler systems, disability accessible entrances, and exits of the home.
- Is there ample space on the property for parking spaces?
Legal Requirements for Starting a Halfway House in Florida
The State of Florida does not require you to have a license to own and operate a halfway house or sober house. However, the state defines this as Community Housing or Residential Treatment, which must be licensed. The services you want to provide in your halfway house establishes the need for a license. Halfway houses and Sober houses do not offer addiction treatment which requires a license to open.
A Call to Action and Get Help Starting Your Halfway House Today
Some companies can guide you through the process of owning and operating a halfway house or sober house in Florida. Some companies are not quality guidance. We are here to help you open up a sober home or halfway house in the State of Florida. We train you and guide you through the process of opening a haven of peace for recovering addicts or discharged inmates who have served their time in jail and need help transiting into the world.
Having much money helps you get your passion started. Do you have a degree, specialized training, or certification by a governing agency? Owning a sober house is known as a small business, and our Christian based organization are experts at supporting and helping entrepreneurs to start up a halfway house or sober house in Florida.
We have the drive and a deep passion for helping and educating others to set up places where people can transition into a new life away from drugs, alcohol, jail, and abuse. If you have the same passion for helping your community read what we are all about and how we can guide and assist you as you put your emphasis on helping others.
