01/31/2021
❗️Urgent request❗️
Have you lived in sober housing in Minnesota? Has a family member? Have you experienced harm or loss related to the sober housing industry? Contact us via DM (preferred) or at [email protected]
Over the past two years, we have had discussions and meetings with people who use drugs and those in recovery about their experiences at sober homes. We have heard stories of dehumanizing treatment. When evicted, most homes require residents to leave immediately—regardless of if a resident is experiencing homelessness and doesn’t have anywhere else to go. This is never acceptable, but extremely dangerous during the winter, and now during a pandemic. We have heard stories of people returning to use upon eviction. This can be potentially live threatening with the practice of forced abstinence of homes, lowered tolerance, and an unpredictable drug supply due to prohibition.
Last March, we were involved in producing a letter with directive from State Representative Heather Edelson that Governor Tim Walz’s Executive Order 20-14, an eviction moratorium, applies to sober homes. It was met with backlash from people involved with sober housing—stating that residents are not tenants, and therefore, do not have ANY tenants rights. Meanwhile, residents pay down payments, monthly rent, and sign contracts to reside in sober homes. This is another piece of how people who use drugs are stigmatized and held to different standards than others seeking housing.
We will always center those most impacted by policy. In this case, that is people with past and current lived experience as residents. Legislation is being developed and lived experience is request to create recommendations on oversight for sober housing. Please contact us and will respond with how to submit a testimony.
NAMI Minnesota
