Resident Rights and Responsibilities at OASAS-certified Recovery Residences

In an OASAS-certified recovery residence, residents start their journey toward health and well-being in a supportive environment that respects their rights. Residents are encouraged to develop healthy habits and work cooperatively with staff, volunteers, and peers. This collaborative approach fosters personal growth and accountability, creating a strong foundation for successful recovery.

As a resident of an OASAS-certified recovery residence, you are entitled to certain rights.

You have a right to:

1. Not face discrimination in eligibility determination for admission, as defined in admission criteria.
2. Reside in an environment that is conducive to recovery.
3. Reside in an environment that is safe, sanitary, and habitable.
4. Be treated with consideration, dignity, and respect.
5. Be free from verbal, mental or physical abuse and sexual harassment.
6. Be free from staff or resident coercion.
7. Receive support from staff who are respectful of resident dignity and personal autonomy.
8. Choose personal recovery goals, develop a recovery plan, and self-determine one’s recovery journey.
9. Practice religion and celebrate individual culture in accordance with personal belief systems.
10. Have privacy in living quarters and personal storage space for personal property.
11. Personal information or records being accessible only with written consent to designated persons.
12. Receive information about provider supports available on-site or through community linkages.
13. Access community resources and social support services, including medical, mental health and substance use disorder treatment services, from the provider of one’s choosing.
14. Pursue employment in establishments of one’s choosing.
15. Be free from performing labor or personal services solely for provider or staff benefit.
16. Receive and send unopened mail.
17. Participate in resident governance structures to allow reasonable involvement, voice, and choice in the recovery environment of the residence.
18. Be provided with:
    1. a residency agreement, or equivalent document;
    2. copies of all documents signed by the resident;
    3. copies of all policies and procedures related to resident behavior and expectations; and
    4. access to all other policies and procedures of the certified recovery residence;
19. Be informed of any fees, charges, or financial obligations for which one might be responsible prior to admission into the residence or collection of funds.
20. Be fully informed before changes occur to any of these rights or residence policies and procedures.
21. File a complaint or grievance to the owner/operator/residence manager or other leadership without fear of retaliation.
22. File a complaint or grievance with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) without fear of retaliation.
23. Be referred to needed services upon leaving or transfer from the residence if necessary.

Residents living in a recovery residence are expected to work towards acquiring healthy habits as well as act responsibly and cooperatively with staff, volunteers, and peers in accordance with residence policies and procedures.

Therefore, each resident should strive to:

1. Treat each fellow resident and staff member with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
2. Refrain from disruptive/discourteous behavior.
3. Act responsibly and abide by residence rules, regulations, and policies at all times for the safety and well-being of the resident community.
4. Pay monthly housing expenses and any other fees agreed upon, in stated timeframes, and maintain a record of such payments, including retention of receipts provided by owner, manager, or staff at the time of payment.
5. Participate actively in their personal recovery journey, including engaging in meaningful activities.
6. Promptly report any fellow resident’s use of alcohol and/or non-permissible drugs to the designated residence staff in order to ensure the continued health and safety of all residents within the community.
7. Encourage and support fellow residents’ active engagement in their own personal recovery plans, respecting boundaries, while providing honest, peer supportive perspectives and suggestions based on experience.
8. Hold fellow residents accountable to adhere to house rules for the health and safety of the community and raise concerns regarding a resident’s continued challenges to adhere to house rules at scheduled house meetings.
9. Respect other residents’ right to privacy and confidentiality.
10. Be mindful of the rights of neighbors; refrain from, elevated noise levels, over-crowded parking, loitering, littering or other actions that might be considered as impinging on the safety and well-being of neighborhood occupants, family members, and property.
11. Maintain personal bedroom space and all common areas in a clean, orderly fashion, and contribute to the maintenance of both the interior and exterior of the residence, including regularly scheduled chores.
12. Engage in appropriate personal hygiene.
13. Be mindful of individual medical and mental health needs and take necessary action(s) to address those needs with staff and peers.
14. Be responsible for and safeguard personal items/belongings.
15. Be responsible for and safeguard individual medications.

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