new to the group . trying to start my first house in 90 days

In this video, I share my experience of reaching out to various inpatient drug clinics to establish connections for our sober living home, Shelton Housing First, located in Lakewood. I emphasize the importance of being friendly and engaging when making these calls to encourage callbacks. I also discuss the need to keep a detailed record of contacts and follow-ups to maintain these relationships. Additionally, I mention an app I’m developing that will streamline the process of finding and contacting drug clinics. I encourage you all to start making these calls, even if you don't have a house yet, as building these connections is crucial.

Don’t be discouraged if you are starting in any of these state, it’s still absolutely an option and we just have to have a solid plan and be ready to work. (Highest regulation / licensing / enforcement) 1. Arizona - Mandatory certification for most sober homes - State registry of operators - Regular inspections - Strong enforcement due to past fraud scandals Very tightly regulated. 2. Utah - Requires Recovery Residence license - Director qualification requirements - Program documentation required - Inspections and background checks More oversight than most states. 3. Florida - Must be certified through FARR to receive referrals or work with treatment programs - Heavy compliance rules - Strong enforcement Florida has a massive recovery market but high regulation. 4. New Jersey - Mandatory licensing through the state - Background checks - inspections - Strict operational requirements 5. Pennsylvania - Certification required for referrals from treatment providers - Strong oversight and compliance requirements - Local zoning battles common ⚠️ States That Look Easy But Aren’t These states are deceptive because local governments regulate heavily: - California (local zoning fights everywhere) - Colorado (cities impose spacing rules) - North Carolina (many cities regulate tightly) - Massachusetts (local resistance) 🧠 Quick Strategy Most Operators Use Many experienced operators follow this model: Start in easy states - Texas - Indiana - Tennessee Then expand into high revenue states - Florida - Arizona - California Because the revenue per bed can be 2–4× higher. 💰 Highest Revenue Sober Living States (Bonus) Where operators often make the most per bed: 1. California 2. Florida 3. Arizona 4. Colorado 5. Massachusetts These markets have higher regulation but much higher rents and treatment referrals. 💡 Interesting note for your Group Home Accelerator students:Many of the most successful operators run a two-state model: