Resident Rights Statement: Overview

Recovery housing promotes recovery by increasing residents’ recovery capital—the internal and external resources necessary to achieve and sustain recovery. Recovery capital includes self-esteem and self-efficacy—terms that refer to a person’s belief in their own value and self-determination.

While there are many examples of resident rights, they all should reinforce recovery capital. It validates residents’ experiences shifting from complying with an external authority to finding authority within themselves. Resident rights establish an individual’s choice to be in the recovery house community while allowing grievances and autonomy.

A well-written resident rights statement empowers those who may not have had their rights upheld in previous life experiences. Upholding rights helps set the tone of trust between the recovery housing operators, among residents and within the recovery house community.

Also, a well-written resident rights statement helps operators know that they are doing the right thing if they must remove a resident who is infringing on the rights of other residents or if there is a direct threat to the health or safety of the people in the recovery house.

Be sure to refer to the resident agreement (and other pertinent documents) to follow proper procedures. Consult an attorney for further advice if you have any questions or concerns about removing a resident.

Learn more about resident rights in the NARR Standard Compendium.

See a sample resident rights statement (Word document) from OhioMHAS.