The director of the Pennsylvania Alliance of Recovery Residences (PARR), came to our class and talked to us about the basics of recovery housing. Way started the alliance by himself back in 2011, which is now staffed by multiple people with different multiple services, as recovery housing has been on the rise due to the opioid epidemic. Way said PARR’s funding system is currently funding 31 houses around Philadelphia. And those that do not receive state or federal funding rely on tenants paying weekly rent and services fees.

Way told our class that there are many regulations to maintain a recovery house so that it can operate and house tenants. We also learned that its important for those planning to open a recovery house, to share plans with their future neighborhood. He said that is a key step, as the neighborhood can decide whether they accept the idea of a recovery home in their vicinity or not.