The Role of Neighborhood Unemployment on Oxford House Sustainability

Recovery homes are important in the continuum of care for individuals with substance use disorders. Oxford Houses facilitate recovery processes, foster community, and reduce relapse rates by providing supportive housing to individuals seeking recovery. Research suggests that financial limitations act as a barrier to the maintenance or sustainability of evidence-based interventions. Therefore, neighborhood unemployment may negatively impact the longevity of recovery homes. House size could have an influence on this relationship. This research relied on census data from the 2020 American Community Survey to examine unemployment at the neighborhood level using zip codes inhabiting Oxford Houses. Results reveal that percent unemployment had a significant negative effect on house longevity. Smaller (6 or less) versus larger (7 or more) houses did not significantly moderate the relationship between percent unemployment and house longevity. Further analyses revealed, however, that house size partially mediates the relationship between neighborhood unemployment and house longevity. This research could inform best practices in selecting ideal Oxford House locations and clarify the role of the economic environment on recovery home dynamics.