An Impact and Cost-Benefit Evaluation of the Oxford House Substance Free Transitional Housing Model

This project was competitively reviewed and satisfies all the requirements as stated in the solicitation/letter (Re-Compete) of the EVALUATION OF PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY BYRNE MEMORIAL FUNDS.

This research is designed to study the impact and cost-benefit of adding an Oxford House model of transitional housing to a local community corrections system. Oxford Houses were founded in 1975 to provide an innovative substance-free residential environment for recovering alcoholics. Oxford Houses offer a self-directed community setting, where residents are primarily under the supervision of their peers rather than professional staff. It is not treatment, but an adjunct to treatment. Washington County (Oregon) Community Corrections has received Byrne Grant funds to add 12-15 new Oxford Houses in the community.

This research will answer four key policy questions:
1) Do these transitional services provide measurable improvements in self-sufficiency and positive community adjustment for the participants?
2) Do transitional services and community supervision produce significant reductions in subsequent drug abuse and criminal offending?
3) Are there differential effects depending on offender risk levels and general characteristics?
4) What are the relative costs and benefits of these transitional programs to the taxpayers of Washington County?