The SHARE (Sober Housing for Addiction Recovery Environments) Loan Fund was established through Public Law 100-690, the Anti-drug Abuse Act of 1988, which established a nationwide program to encourage the creation of sober houses for women and men in recovery from chemical dependency. Each state has a $100,000 “revolving loan pool” to help start these homes. The SHARE Loan Fund provides interest free loans to groups of individuals who are in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction and who want to live in an environment free of alcohol and drugs. Recipients can borrow up to $5,000 to help cover some of the initial costs associated with renting property.
Models of sober and drug free housing exist across the country. These houses are self-supporting and are democratically managed by the residents. All residents support the requirement that each resident maintain her/his sobriety and evict any member who uses alcohol and other drugs. Some houses elect officers to serve for six months and each house is required to have a sponsor with long-term sobriety.
Houses established by the SHARE Loan Fund play a vital role in the continuum of services for individuals in recovery, complementing efforts and services provided by treatment programs. Sober, safe and affordable housing is often one of the final bridges a person needs as they transition to independent living. The SHARE Loan Fund has been that bridge for many people and is committed to becoming it for many more.
Responsibilities of the SHARE Loan Fund Administrator
- Recruit original tenants for sober house.
- Provide loans to residents to open sober houses.
- Provide technical assistance in opening and maintaining houses free of alcohol and other drugs.
- Help negotiate the lease on behalf of the tenants.
- Help recruit sponsors for the houses.
- Refer potential residents to houses for interviews.
- Disclose any potential conflicts of interest with any other involved participants.
Responsibilities of Landlords
- Place security deposit in an interest-bearing bank account.
- Maintain open lines of communication with the designated tenant.
- Respond in a timely manner to phone calls from the house, including making necessary repairs.
- Disclose any potential conflicts of interest with any other involved participants.
Responsibilities of Tenants
- Remain free of alcohol and other drugs.
- Actively participate in the recovery process.
- Open and maintain a two-signature house checking account.
- Have an individual sponsor.
- Attend weekly house meeting.
- Establish decision making process for household issues.
- Pay bills in a timely manner.
- Respect house rules.
- Be open-minded and listen to the house sponsor.
- Discuss any necessary repairs with the landlord.
- Disclose any potential conflicts of interest with any other involved participants.
Additional Support
Each SHARE Loan house has a “House Sponsor” with long-term sobriety who supports the residents in their recovery (not directly sponsoring any individual in the house) and acts as a source of information and inspiration to house members.
Advisory Committee
The SHARE Loan Fund operates with the assistance of an Advisory Committee that participates in reviewing loan applications and provides support and resources to the SHARE Loan Fund staff