Housing Support

3-Year Comprehensive Plan for WEreckognize: Building a Sustainable Recovery Housing Model

Vision Statement

To establish a network of safe, affordable, and sustainable recovery residences that support individuals in their journey toward long-term recovery from substance use disorders, while providing comprehensive wraparound services that address housing stability, mental health, and social reintegration.

Mission Statement

To promote healing, growth, and long-term recovery by offering housing stabilization services, peer support, and access to holistic recovery resources. WEreckognize will build a sustainable housing model that prioritizes dignity, recovery-centered care, and community reintegration.

Year 1: Laying the Foundation

Objectives:

1. Strengthen Organizational Capacity

Build the internal capacity needed to support the expansion of recovery housing.

2. Expand Recovery Housing Units

Secure properties for recovery housing, focusing on sustainable practices and long-term viability.

3. Secure Initial Funding and Partnerships

Develop key partnerships with local organizations, funders, and recovery service providers to fund and support recovery housing.

4. Implement Evidence-Based Practices (EBP)

Ensure that all housing programs and support services are grounded in evidence-based practices for substance use disorder (SUD) recovery and housing stabilization.

Key Activities:

• Hire Key Staff: Recruit staff with experience in nonprofit management, housing services, and recovery. Positions include Housing Coordinator, Fundraising Director, and Recovery Support Specialists.

• Secure Additional Recovery Properties: Grow housing availability with an emphasis on sustainable practices. Identify and acquire 1-2 new properties for recovery housing (targeting men and women).

• Build Partnerships: Collaborate with local housing agencies, SUD treatment providers, and organizations offering mental health, job training, and peer support services.

• Launch Fundraising Campaigns: Create a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes grants, private donations, and local/state funding opportunities. Begin applying for federal and state grants specific to recovery housing and SUD services (e.g., SAMHSA, HUD grants).

• Community Engagement and Awareness: Increase community outreach through local events, social media campaigns, and partnerships with grassroots organizations. Educate the public on harm reduction, recovery, and the importance of stable housing.

Milestones:

• Staff Expansion: Successfully hire at least 2 key staff members to lead recovery housing operations.

• Housing Growth: Acquire and license two additional recovery properties.

• Grant Funding: Secure at least one major grant (e.g., SAMHSA) to fund housing and support services.

• Partnerships: Formalize partnerships with at least three local service providers and mental health organizations.

Year 2: Scaling Up and Strengthening the Model

Objectives:

1. Increase Housing Capacity

Expand the number of recovery homes to meet increasing community demand while ensuring financial sustainability.

2. Develop Comprehensive Support Services

Build a wraparound service model that offers access to peer recovery specialists, job training, mental health services, and more.

3. Ensure Sustainability of the Housing Model

Create a financial model that allows for long-term housing sustainability without over-reliance on any one funding source.

4. Refine Monitoring and Evaluation

Establish a robust system to measure the effectiveness of recovery housing services and ensure continuous improvement.

Key Activities:

• Expand Recovery Housing Units: Open 2-3 additional recovery homes, focusing on both men and women, and ensuring compliance with local regulations and Fair Housing Act requirements. Identify properties in underserved areas, particularly those disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis.

• Enhance Wraparound Services: Collaborate with local providers to offer in-house mental health services, job training, financial literacy, and family reunification programs. Integrate Certified Peer Recovery Specialists into all recovery homes to provide ongoing support.

• Diversify Funding Sources: Begin diversifying funding streams, including government grants, private foundations, and social enterprise initiatives (such as job training programs with partnerships that provide employment opportunities for residents).

• Establish a Revenue Model for Housing Sustainability: Develop a financial model that blends rental income from residents (subsidized as needed) with funding from grants and donations to cover operational costs. Explore opportunities to leverage Medicaid for eligible support services through Housing Stabilization Services (HSS).

• Develop a Data-Driven Evaluation System: Implement a system to monitor and track outcomes such as housing stability, recovery progress, employment, and social reintegration. Use this data to refine programs and demonstrate impact to funders.

Milestones:

• Housing Expansion: Increase total recovery housing units by 50% by the end of Year 2.

• Partnerships: Formalize at least five new partnerships with job training, mental health, and social service providers.

• Wraparound Services: Establish regular on-site mental health counseling and job placement services.

• Sustainable Funding: Secure a combination of public and private funding sources, ensuring that operational costs for all recovery homes are fully covered.

• Data and Reporting: Launch a comprehensive evaluation system and publish a report showcasing key outcomes and impact of WEreckognize’s recovery housing model.

Year 3: Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability and Impact

Objectives:

1. Achieve Full Sustainability of the Recovery Housing Model

Ensure that all recovery homes are financially self-sustaining through diversified funding sources and operational efficiency.

2. Expand to New Communities

Begin replicating the successful recovery housing model in other high-need areas across Minnesota.

3. Advocate for Policy Change

Leverage WEreckognize’s success and data to advocate for policy changes that support recovery housing at the local and state levels.

4. Establish Organizational Leadership in Recovery Housing

Position WEreckognize as a leader in sustainable recovery housing through thought leadership, advocacy, and continued innovation in the sector.

Key Activities:

• Maintain Financial Stability: By Year 3, the financial model for recovery housing should blend resident income, grants, donations, and social enterprise. Conduct annual financial reviews to ensure long-term sustainability.

• Expand to New Locations: Identify 1-2 additional communities in Minnesota that are underserved by recovery housing. Begin scoping for new properties, securing funding, and building local partnerships to replicate the WEreckognize housing model.

• Advocacy and Policy Work: Use the data collected over the first two years to advocate for policy changes that support recovery housing, harm reduction, and mental health services. Engage with policymakers, testify at legislative hearings, and build a coalition of like-minded organizations.

• Thought Leadership and Best Practices: Host local events, workshops, and conferences to share WEreckognize’s successful recovery housing model with other organizations. Contribute to white papers, blogs, and reports on best practices in harm reduction and recovery housing.

Milestones:

• Sustainability: Achieve 100% sustainability for all recovery homes through a diversified funding model.

• Expansion: Open 2 new recovery housing locations in underserved communities.

• Advocacy: Successfully influence at least one local or state policy change that supports recovery housing or harm reduction practices.

• Thought Leadership: Host at least one major conference or community event and publish a best-practices guide on sustainable recovery housing.

Metrics of Success

• Housing Stability: Measured by the percentage of residents maintaining stable housing for 6 months or more.

• Recovery Progress: Tracked through resident progress in recovery plans, relapse rates, and participation in peer support groups.

• Employment: Number of residents gaining employment or completing job training programs.

• Funding Stability: Percentage of operational costs covered by stable funding sources (grants, rental income, etc.).

• Policy Impact: Number of policy changes influenced by WEreckognize’s advocacy efforts.

Conclusion

Over the next three years, WEreckognize will focus on expanding its recovery housing capacity, ensuring financial sustainability, and building a model that offers comprehensive, wraparound services for residents. By Year 3, the organization will be in a position to influence policy, expand its reach to underserved communities, and solidify its role as a leader in the recovery housing movement. Through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, WEreckognize will continue to create lasting change in the lives of individuals affected by substance use disorders.