There is no significant association between the presence of a recovery residence for people with substance use disorder (SUD) and nearby property values, according to a study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.Why It’s Relevant
The presence of recovery residences, also known as sober living homes, often face resistance from local community members due to perceptions they will result in increased crime or lower property values. This “not in my backyard” mentality can lead to policies that prevent the establishment of recovery residences or other SUD-related facilities in areas where they’re needed.
By the Numbers
- Using publicly available data from census tracts in Texas, researchers found that the median home value was between $12,000 and $39,000 higher on tracts with a recovery residence compared with nearby tracts without a recovery residence, depending on the comparison method used.
- Tracts with recovery residences also had a slightly higher mean number of housing units, higher Social Vulnerability Index scores, and larger total population sizes.
- Out of 6,523 census tracts, just 329 (5%) had one or more recovery residences, which the researchers said reflects “significant geographic and access disparities in SUD recovery and support across the state.”
The Other Side
The study focused on Texas and may not be generalizable to other states with different housing markets or policy environments. In addition, although the researchers accounted for total population at the tract level, they did not include other potentially influential variables such as neighborhood crime rates, school quality, and zoning policies.
Takeaway Message
“Aligning policies with these evidence-based insights may reduce stigma, enhance community acceptance, and support broader efforts to expand accessible recovery housing options,” the researchers wrote.
Related Information
Source
Ryan Ramphul, et. al. ‘Not in my backyard’: the impact of recovery residences on property values. Drug Alcohol Depend. Published January 14, 2026. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113044
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