Frequently asked questions.

AARR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Arkansas's designated NARR affiliate. We certify recovery residences (sober living homes) across the state against NARR Standard 3.0, provide operator training and assistance, maintain a directory of certified homes, and advocate for quality recovery housing statewide. AARR was founded in 2024.

A recovery residence — also called a sober living home — is a safe, drug- and alcohol-free home for people in recovery from substance use disorder. These homes provide structure, peer support, and stable housing while residents rebuild work, routines, and relationships.

Not in the traditional sense — but it depends on the home's level. A recovery residence's core purpose is safe, substance-free housing and a peer-recovery community, not the clinical treatment program itself. Most homes marketed as "sober living" are Level I (Peer-Run) or Level II (Monitored) and provide no clinical services. Residents get any treatment they need from providers in the community. Level III (Supervised) homes add paid staff and coordinate closely with outside clinical care, and Level IV (Service Provider) homes deliver clinical services on-site through licensed staff. A recovery residence can stand apart from treatment, coordinate it, or — at the highest level — include it, but the housing and peer community are always the foundation.

NARR — the National Alliance for Recovery Residences — sets the national standard for recovery housing and designates a single affiliate in each state to run certification. AARR is that affiliate for Arkansas. NARR does not certify homes directly; AARR certifies Arkansas homes against NARR Standard 3.0.

NARR Standard 3.0 organizes homes into four levels by the intensity of staffing and support:

• Level I (Peer-Run): No paid staff; residents govern themselves democratically. Oxford Houses are the best-known example.
• Level II (Monitored): A live-in house manager or senior peer enforces written rules, curfews, drug testing, and meeting attendance.
• Level III (Supervised): Paid staff, case management, and life-skills programming.
• Level IV (Service Provider): On-site clinical services delivered by licensed staff.

AARR certification specifies the level at which each home operates.

No. AARR is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, not a state agency, and certification is voluntary. AARR works alongside state partners and funders but operates independently as Arkansas's NARR affiliate.

Use the AARR directory of certified homes. You can search by location, level of support, and gender served. Every listing has been independently verified against NARR Standard 3.0.

Most recovery residences in Arkansas charge roughly $500 to $1,500 per month; some bill weekly, around $100 to $300. Most are private-pay, though scholarships and subsidized beds exist. Cost varies by location, level of support, and amenities.

Medicaid does not pay for room and board in a recovery residence — that is a national rule, not specific to Arkansas. However, Medicaid through ARHOME can cover related services such as outpatient counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and peer support provided alongside housing, which can lower your overall costs.

It is a fund that helps residents in AARR-certified homes cover critical recovery needs — such as identification fees, employment essentials, and other costs that can threaten someone's housing.

Start with one question: is the home AARR-certified, and at what level? Then ask about house rules, fees, length of stay, and who manages the home. Certification confirms documented policies, a resident bill of rights, safe physical conditions, and a commitment to ethical operation.

Because "sober living" has no legal meaning on its own — any group can rent a house and use the term. AARR certification is an independent, verifiable signal that a home meets a national quality and safety standard. It is the simplest way to tell a well-run home from a risky one.

Certification is increasingly the gateway to referrals, funding, and credibility. Treatment centers, hospitals, drug courts, and probation officers increasingly place people only in homes they can verify are safe — and referrals drive occupancy. Funding follows the same path: opioid-settlement dollars (through Arkansas's ARORP), state and federal grants, and most foundations increasingly require it. Certification also lowers liability exposure and can earn better insurance terms — and because Arkansas doesn't license these homes, it's the clearest proof of quality you can offer residents, families, and partners.

Not currently — certification is voluntary in Arkansas. However, funding streams increasingly restrict or prioritize certified homes, and referral partners are moving the same direction, so most operators building a sustainable home are choosing to certify early.

The process runs in five steps: (1) review NARR Standard 3.0 and your level's requirements checklist and begin preparing your policies, handbooks, and forms; (2) submit your inquiry and prescreen — AARR follows up on readiness and next steps, and a one-time application fee begins the process; (3) complete the online certification training; (4) apply and submit your full documents — policies, resident handbook, staff manual, and supporting materials; and (5) document review and an on-site assessment, after which AARR grants certification and lists your home in the certified directory. Begin with the Startup Guide, then view all five steps.

Most operators complete certification in about 60 to 120 days, depending on how much policy and procedural documentation is already in place. Homes that start with strong documentation move faster; those building from scratch take longer.

AARR publishes its fees transparently in a current Fee Schedule. The structure includes an application fee, an organizational credentialing fee, an on-site assessment fee, and a per-house certification fee. See the current Fee Schedule for exact amounts. For most operators, the value returned through referrals, funding access, and reduced liability exceeds the fees.

AARR certifies homes against NARR Standard 3.0 across four domains: administrative operations, physical environment, recovery support, and good neighbor practices. Certified operators also agree to the AARR Code of Ethics.

Certification lasts two years, after which a home goes through recertification. Certified homes are listed in both the AARR directory and the NARR national directory.

Start with the AARR Startup Guide before you apply. It covers what it takes to run a home and includes a readiness checklist and two short intro videos.

Yes. AARR provides startup guidance and technical assistance so operators can prepare policies, forms, handbooks, and property documentation before review. The process is designed to help homes succeed, not to trip them up.

AARR has a documented corrective-action process — required remediation, recertification review, and, in serious cases, revocation of certification. That accountability is part of what makes certification a credible quality signal.

Certified homes have passed independent review against a national standard, which protects your clients and gives you a defensible basis for the referral. Restricting referrals to certified homes is increasingly the written policy of funders and agencies, not just a preference.

A "halfway house," in its traditional sense, is a supervised — often court-mandated — facility for people leaving incarceration. A "sober living home" usually refers to a Level I or II home and carries no legal meaning on its own. "Recovery residence" is the NARR umbrella term that covers all four levels (I–IV).

Often, yes. Many courts, probation officers, and parole agents accept placement in a certified recovery residence as satisfying supervision requirements — but always confirm with the supervising officer before placement.

Use the AARR directory. Each home is verified against NARR Standard 3.0 and listed with its level of care, so you can match a client to the right level of support and document the referral defensibly.

Treatment centers, courts, hospitals, and agencies can build standard referral lists from certified homes and coordinate with AARR on placement and training. Contact us to start the conversation.

Yes — AARR is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We are funded through grants, partnerships, and certification fees. That funding directly supports certification, operator training, and the resident support fund.

AARR welcomes volunteers and community partners.

AARR has a formal grievance process for residents, families, neighbors, and partners. You can file a grievance through our website. AARR reviews concerns about certified homes and takes corrective action when warranted.