Why Housing Matters in Recovery
For people rebuilding their lives after addiction, safe and stable housing is often the missing piece. Treatment programs can provide medical care and therapy, but without a supportive place to live, many find themselves at risk of relapse.
Recognizing this gap, New Hampshire has launched a groundbreaking initiative that could change the recovery landscape across the state.
Earlier this year, the state announced the Opioid Use Disorder Supportive Housing Capital Program, a funding effort that provides millions of dollars annually to create and expand housing for people in recovery. The program, financed through New Hampshire’s Opioid Abatement Trust Fund, offers up to $5.7 million each year for the next three years in the form of 0% interest, deferred-payment loans. It’s managed by New Hampshire Housing, the agency that oversees housing development and affordability programs statewide.
Why Housing Matters in Recovery
Anyone who’s been through the process of overcoming addiction—or has walked alongside someone who has—knows recovery is about much more than getting sober. Stability, safety, and structure are essential for lasting success. Without them, people leaving treatment too often fall back into old environments which trigger relapse.
Supportive housing provides more than just a roof over someone’s head. These homes and facilities often include wraparound services:
- Peer support
- Case management
- Vocational training
- Connections to healthcare
It’s a holistic model designed to help people not only stay sober, but also build independent and fulfilling lives.
A Strategic Use of Settlement Funds
The money for this new program comes directly from the state’s share of the national opioid settlement, which is sending billions of dollars to states over the next two decades.
While debates continue across the country about how to best use this funding, New Hampshire’s approach is straightforward: invest in long-term solutions that address the root challenges of recovery.
By structuring the funds as deferred-payment loans at 0% interest, the program creates accountability for developers while also reducing financial barriers. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, municipalities, and private developers willing to dedicate projects to people with opioid use disorder or co-occurring conditions.
Building on an Existing Network
New Hampshire already has a strong recovery housing network, supported by organizations like the New Hampshire Coalition of Recovery Residences (NHCORR). But the need continues to outpace supply.
With overdose deaths still claiming hundreds of lives each year in the Granite State, this new program is designed to expand capacity in a sustainable way.
Communities that have long struggled with addiction will now have access to resources to create housing specifically designed for recovery. Whether it’s small transitional homes in rural areas or larger facilities in cities like Manchester or Nashua, the flexibility of the program means funding can be tailored to meet local needs.
A Signal of Hope
For advocates and families, the launch of this program is more than just a policy decision—it’s a signal that the state is listening. Housing has been a top priority for recovery organizations for years, and now it finally has a dedicated funding stream.
Of course, housing alone will not solve the crisis. Treatment access, prevention efforts, and harm reduction services remain essential. But supportive housing helps weave all those pieces together, giving people in recovery a foundation from which to rebuild.
Looking Ahead
Over the next three years, it will be critical to watch how these funds are used and what impact they have on the recovery community. If successful, the program could serve as a model for other states deciding how to spend their opioid settlement dollars.
For now, though, the announcement offers hope. At a time when headlines about addiction too often focus on loss, New Hampshire is making news for building something new — a chance at stability, dignity, and second chances for those who need them most.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, reach out to Avenues Recovery Center. With 15 beautiful addiction treatment centers across 7 states, recovery has never been closer to home.
You can find your way home today!