Does WIC Section 8255 apply to sober living/recovery residences? Can recovery residences require participation in 12-step meetings? If recovery residences are exempt from all of these rules, it seems like any and all BHBH programs could be designated recovery residences such that it is possible that there wouldn’t be any BHBH housing that is low barrier or that practices Housing First in a given county. Is that correct?

Subtopic: Program Requirements

Housing provided under the BHBH Program must adhere to the Housing First principles (RFA page 10). Welfare and Institutions Code Section 8256 does expand and clarify certain aspects of the Housing First law as it relates to Sober Living and Recovery Housing environments. We anticipate that County BHAs would need to provide services in a number of different formats in order to most effectively serve the BHBH-eligible population.