Men's Program Overview

The Vision House men’s homes provide a stable, supportive living environment for homeless and low-income men who are in the early stages of sobriety following a long-term addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. Residents may stay in the program 18 months to 2 years. The program is designed as a group living situation with 4 - 5 men in a house, each with their own bedroom. The men receive help and encouragement from each other and from VH staff through case management, weekly house meeting and optional Bible study. Residents must be actively involved in a 12-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings. VH has a no-tolerance policy. If a resident returns to using alcohol or drugs, he is asked to leave within 24 hours.

The goal is to coordinate the successful reintegration of the men back into the community through a range of services tailored to the individual’s needs, which may include the following: education, life skills development, counseling, discipleship, employment, outpatient treatment referrals, and the building of self-esteem. The program also helps residents actively develop and pursue their own program of sobriety, and to support and encourage the sobriety of other house members.

One resident is designated by VH as the “House Manager” for the purpose of facilitating communication between VH, the Men’s Case Manager and the house members. The House Manager will also monitor the compliance of the residents in the program. The House Manager exercises leadership by resolving disputes between house members and listens to individual members who have problems to discuss, related to their own recovery.

The importance of the weekly house meeting cannot be overstated. It not only serves to keep house members up-to-date concerning household issues, but also serves as a place to resolve personality differences between house members. It provides a forum in which peer pressure can be used to encourage each resident to work his own 12-step program of recovery. In brief, the house meeting becomes an important opportunity for house members to help each other keep on a steady course to develop a new, healthy, productive lifestyle that is free of alcohol and drug use. The optional Bible study is offered on a weekly basis after house meetings.

The most difficult and important decision in running a recovery house lies in determining whether a resident has returned to using alcohol or drugs. The facts are considered by the residents and are taken into consideration when making a decision whether or not a relapse has occurred. If a resident relapses, he must leave the house within 24 hours or other time agreed upon with the Case Manager.

Rent Structure

The resident agrees to pay rent equal to thirty percent (30%) of his net monthly income, and never more than the fair market value of the rental unit. Each resident also agrees to pay a percentage of the utility costs each month. The prorated utility bill and household fund will not exceed $20 per month. If thirty percent of a resident’s income exceeds $325 per month, the excess over $400 is placed in a Vision House savings account each month. This money is then refunded to the resident when he transitions to permanent housing, to be used for moving expenses or other emergency needs. Verifiable information such as the name and address of the new landlord must be supplied before a check will be issued. If the resident does not provide VH with the aforementioned within 30 days, the resident forfeits the funds and they will be dispensed into VH general funds. At that time those funds are no longer available to the resident.