Recovery Residences
Safe, stable, quality, affordable housing is an essential component of recovery from substance use disorder. The department is proud to share the following information and resources for recovery housing, many of which we support in various forms.
As described in Tennessee Code Annotated § 33-2-1401(7), a “Recovery residence” is a residence classified as a single-family residence, as defined in § 13-24-102, or any other premise, place, or building that provides a substance-free living environment centered on supervised, monitored, or peer-led support that assists individuals in recovery from substance use disorder with services that promote long-term recovery, including direct connection to other peers in recovery, mutual support groups, and recovery support services, but does not provide any medical or clinical services, treatment, or medication administration on-site, except for verification of abstinence.
No. Recovery residences are distinct from other types of supportive or treatment-based housing. Halfway houses are licensed residential treatment facilities regulated by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and provide clinical services, treatment, and supervision as part of a structured treatment program. Group homes may be regulated under different statutory and licensing frameworks depending on the population served and may include staff-supervised care, clinical services, or other programmatic requirements not present in recovery residences.
Recovery Residence Certification Organizations
Pursuant to Public Chapter No. 406, beginning January 1st, 2026, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) will begin selecting and approving Recovery Residence Certification Organizations in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 33-2-1401. Recovery Residence Certification Organizations selected and approved by TDMHSAS must meet the minimum standards set forth in § 33-2-1404. TDMHSAS will approve Recovery Residence Certification Organizations for a period of three (3) years, at which point the organization may reapply for approval as a Recovery Residence Certification Organization. Once selected and approved by TDMHSAS, these Recovery Residence Certification Organizations will be listed on this webpage. Only those entities selected and approved by TDMHSAS may be considered a Recovery Residence Certification Organization as defined under state law. The following organizations have been selected and approved by TDMHSAS as Recovery Residence Certification Organizations:
Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences (TN-ARR) is a founding member of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the availability of well-operated, ethical, and supportive recovery housing. They have developed a widely-referenced national standard for the operation of recovery residences. They work with and support 30 state affiliate organizations including one in Tennessee. NARR Serves 250,000 people annually in more than 7,150 certified residences implemented in more than 30 states.
Learn more about the Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences at this link.
RITNH is a Tennessee-based Recovery Housing certifying entity committed to promoting quality and ethical recovery housing. Guided by national best practices and the Tennessee SAFE Act, it offers comprehensive certification, training, and technical assistance to ensure that homes adhere to the highest standards of care, safety, and resident support. In addition to certification, RITNH provides consulting services, peer-informed best practice guidance, and community education to assist providers in cultivating sustainable, person-centered recovery environments. For further information regarding the certification process or to submit an application, please visit recoveryisthenewhigh.com/recovery-housing.
Any questions or concerns pertaining to the status of an organization as a Recovery Residence Certification Organization shall be directed to Matt.Yancey@tn.gov. Any questions or concerns regarding a recovery residence certified by a Recovery Residence Certification Organization should be directed to the certifying organization. See the list above for the appropriate contact information.
Interested in becoming a Recovery Residence Certification Organization?
Entities interested in becoming a Recovery Residence Certification Organization must submit an application through the web-based platform called Formstack. The application can be found at this link. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and approval will ultimately be made by the TDMHSAS Commissioner. Applicants will be notified within thirty (30) business days if their application is approved or if additional information is needed.
Please understand that selection and approval, or reapproval, as a Recovery Residence Certification Organization may be approved, denied, suspended, or revoked in the sole discretion of the TDMHSAS. There is no legal right to or interest in being selected and approved as a Recovery Residence Certification Organization, and being selected and approved does not create a legal right to or interest in retaining approval. Although TDMHSAS may choose to reconsider any decision it makes regarding a Recovery Residence Certification Organization’s approved status, there is no legal right to reconsideration or to review or appeal of TDMHSAS’s decision regarding the same.
Please also note that pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state records are considered open for public inspection, unless otherwise protected under the law. Accordingly, the State cannot and does not guarantee the confidentiality of this application, any notes, files, reports, or other documents received by the State or in possession of the State in conjunction with this application.