Recovery housing is a vital lifeline for individuals navigating substance use disorder. It offers stability, community, and a pathway to wellness. Yet, Senate Bill S2527 threatens to undermine this critical support system by imposing burdensome and discriminatory requirements that could shut down recovery residences across the state. NCAAR has created this petition to represent a unified call from advocates, individuals with lived experience, and concerned stakeholders to reject legislation that jeopardizes access to safe, supportive housing.

We, the undersigned organization, advocates, persons with lived and living experience, and stakeholders write to express our strong opposition to Senate Bill S2527, which would require cooperative sober living residences to obtain written approvals from municipal zoning, fire, health, and building authorities before operating. While the bill purports to enhance safety and oversight, it would instead impose burdensome and discriminatory barriers that threaten access to recovery housing across New Jersey.

Recovery housing is a cornerstone of health and wellness for individuals with substance use disorders. Stable, supportive housing dramatically improves outcomes, reduces rates at which people return to using substances, and facilitates reintegration into communities. National research consistently shows that individuals in recovery housing experience higher rates of sustained remission form substance use disorder, employment, and social connection. States like Ohio, Massachusetts, and Arizona have invested in recovery housing as part of their public health strategies, recognizing that housing is not just a service—it's a form of treatment. In contrast, overly restrictive local regulations have led to closures and shortages in states like Florida and California, where zoning and permitting requirements have been weaponized against recovery residences.

Senate Bill S2527 would replicate these harmful patterns in New Jersey. By requiring multi-agency municipal approvals, the bill invites delays, inconsistent standards, and potential discrimination. Small operators and nonprofit organizations—often the backbone of recovery housing—would face steep compliance costs and legal uncertainty. The bill also risks arbitrary enforcement and undermines the flexibility needed to meet diverse recovery needs. These provisions do not enhance safety; they empower local opposition rooted in stigma and misinformation.

We urge the New Jersey Legislature to reject Senate Bill S2527 or amend it to protect recovery housing under state law. Recovery housing is a proven, evidence-based tool for public health. It deserves support—not bureaucracy. Let us stand together for recovery, dignity, and housing justice.

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