When you complete your stay in a rehab facility, you’ll be faced with the prospect of returning to society. While this is an exciting opportunity for you to rebuild your life, you’ll also be faced with some very practical concerns. For instance, you may have lost your apartment, or you may have been homeless upon entering rehab. For many people, finding a place to live is a pressing concern as they finish up their stay in a treatment facility.
It may help you to move into a sober living home upon leaving the treatment facility. This is a residential community especially established to give recovering addicts a safe way to rejoin society. While there are rules to be obeyed, it is a less structured type of situation, but one that promotes a clean and sober environment. However, as you move into a sober living home, it’s important to remember this is intended to be a temporary living situation. It’s an opportunity to help you get on your feet as you learn how to live a sober lifestyle.
Where Will You Go After Leaving the Sober Living Home?
While the time you can stay in a sober living home will vary, most homes limit residency to a few months. Even though this may seem like a long time, you may be surprised to discover just how quickly time will pass. This means you should start making plans for yourself almost as soon as you move into the home. You can start by finding out what assistance the home offers. Many sober living homes partner with businesses and government agencies to help recovering addicts find more permanent living quarters.
These programs are designed to help people earning low income to find suitable housing, so they can arrange for more permanent living situations. Unfortunately, there are more people seeking this type of help than there are available opportunities. This means you’ll have to meet certain qualifications and, even then, you may still be placed on a waiting list.
Are There Other Options for Low-Income Housing?
As opportunities are limited you may have to turn to other community resources. While some resources may not be intended to help recovering addicts specifically, they do offer living assistance for those in need. For instance, contacting the local social services office may help you find housing of a more permanent nature. As with any type of government assistance, you will likely have to provide proof of residency and income. Another option to consider is to consult your local churches.
One of the ways that religious organizations give back to their communities is by offering housing options to low-income individuals and families. Even if the churches in your area don’t directly offer this type of assistance, they may be able to provide information about other community resources. Sometimes, members of a church will contact their spiritual leaders to share information about new opportunities or community programs, so checking back regularly can help.
Look to More Traditional Options
Sadly, community programs won’t help everyone. There are just too many people in need to be able to provide opportunities for each person that needs help. This doesn’t mean that there’s no hope for you. Finding your permanent home may require shopping the real estate market directly. By browsing the classifieds, you may find an efficiency apartment or a room for rent that will provide you with a place to live for a while. While this may not be an ideal situation, it will provide you with a roof over your head, while you improve your financial situation and look for better options. If you’re too busy looking for work to comb through real estate listings, consider hiring an agent.
Real estate agents are typically paid by the seller or the property manager, so you won’t be obligated to pay their fees. Agents know the market and have unique insights into individual neighborhoods, which can benefit your search. You would simply have to tell the agent your price range and any criteria that are important to you. They will do the searching for you and let you know about any properties that become available, which meet your terms. This can help you find a permanent home that appeals to you. When you’re ready to begin your road to recovery, contact our counselors at 844-639-8371. We can answer any questions you may have about the recovery process. A phone consultation will help eliminate your concerns, so you can begin participating in the addiction treatment program best suited to your situation.