National Alliance for Recovery Residences

What National Alliance for Recovery Residences does

National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 and headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It operates as the national standards-setting and certification body for recovery residences, producing NARR Standard 3.0 (the only nationally recognized quality standard for recovery housing), the NARR Code of Ethics, and the Social Model Philosophy framework measured through the Social Model Philosophy Scale (SMPS) across six domains. NARR works through a federated two-tier model: a national body that develops standards and a network of 30+ state affiliate organizations (FARR, VARR, PARR, MASH, and others) that certify recovery residences against those standards, currently covering 7,150+ certified residences across more than 30 U.S. states.

NARR's product and service portfolio includes the National Recovery Housing Directory (a real-time certified residence locator built with technology partner Behave Health), a 20-module online self-paced training curriculum (NARR 00 through NARR 20), advisory and project planning services for state agencies, project management for statewide recovery housing system design, and technical assistance covering capacity assessment, certification facilitation, and outcomes measurement. Its core technology is therefore principally a standards framework plus a data-locator platform rather than a software product.

NARR's revenue is diversified across donations (the Empowered Recovery campaign with tiered recognition up to $50,000+), training program fees sold through affiliates or directly, professional services to state SUD agencies, and certification-related fees routed through state affiliates. Go-to-market combines event-driven engagement (the annual Best Practices Summit in Fort Lauderdale for 2026), webinar-based community building (Learning Community Calls, Friday Open Calls), content marketing through the website and resource library, and a channel-partner motion via state affiliates who handle local certification and operator engagement.

Name

National Alliance for Recovery Residences

Legal name

National Alliance for Recovery Residences, Inc.

Website

https://narronline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that sets national quality standards for recovery housing and certifies 7,150+ residences across 30+ U.S. states through a network of state affiliates, serving state agencies, residence operators, and individuals in recovery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: NARR is a nonprofit organization that relies on donor contributions to support its operations. The Empowered Recovery donor recognition program includes tiered recognition levels (Recovery Visionary above $50,000, Recovery Champion $25,001-$50,000, Recovery Partner $10,001-$25,000, Recovery Advocate $5,001-$10,000, Recovery Ally $2,501-$5,000, Recovery Friend $1,001-$2,500, NARR Affiliate Donor minimum $2,500).
2. Training Program Fees: NARR develops and delivers training and educational content including a 20-module online, self-paced curriculum for residence operators available for purchase through state affiliates or directly. Course catalog includes modules NARR 00 through NARR 20 covering various aspects of recovery residence standards and operations.
3. Professional Services: NARR provides fee-for-service advisory and project planning services, project management, and technical assistance to state agencies and provider groups developing or expanding statewide recovery housing systems.
4. Certification Fees: State affiliates certify recovery residences to NARR standards. Certification distinguishes residences as meeting national standards and facilitates endorsement from government agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NARR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that sets national standards for recovery residences, certifies operators through a network of 30+ state affiliate organizations, and provides training, technical assistance, and advisory services to states and providers developing recovery housing systems. It maintains the NARR Standard 3.0, the only nationally recognized quality standard for recovery housing, and operates the National Recovery Housing Directory to connect individuals with certified residences.

Product overview

National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) is a nonprofit organization that operates as a unified platform for quality recovery housing standards, certification, and education rather than a modular software product. The core offerings include the NARR Standard 3.0 (the nationally recognized quality standard for recovery residences), the NARR Code of Ethics, and the National Recovery Housing Directory (a certified residence locator powered by Behave Health). Supporting services include Advisory & Project Planning Services, Project Management, a comprehensive 20-module online Training & Education curriculum, and Technical Assistance programs. NARR works through a network of over 30 state affiliate organizations that implement standards and certify residences. The organization does not offer a public API, AI/ML capabilities, or traditional SaaS integrations, focusing instead on standards development, certification, training, and advocacy for recovery housing providers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Recovery Housing Directory A real-time locator of NARR-certified recovery residences nationwide, used by individuals seeking housing, referral agencies, and behavioral health providers to find quality-certified recovery residences.
• Advisory & Project Planning Services Consulting services for state agencies and provider groups on system design, outcomes measurement, and legal framework development for statewide recovery housing systems.
• Project Management System transformation management services including customized training programs and the launch of new state-level support organizations for recovery housing oversight and expansion.
• Training & Education Programs Training programs for recovery residence operators and staff, delivered through live workshops, webinars, and a 20-module online self-paced curriculum covering NARR standards, ethics, medication management, and inclusive recovery support.
• Technical Assistance Comprehensive technical assistance covering capacity assessment, certification facilitation, outcomes measurement, demographic analysis, and direct support for recovery housing providers and state agencies.
• NARR Standard 3.0 The nationally recognized quality standard for recovery housing, defining four levels of support (Level I Peer-run, Level II Monitored, Level III Supervised, Level IV Clinical) and providing the basis for certification of residences nationwide.
• NARR Code of Ethics Ethical guidelines governing the conduct of recovery residence owners, operators, staff, and volunteers within NARR-affiliated organizations.
• 20-Module Online Training Curriculum (NARR 00-NARR 20) Cloud-based, modular, self-paced online training curriculum covering NARR standards, social model practices, certification, ethics, emergency preparedness, and community building for recovery residence operators.

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, historical and minor.

• Behave HealthcoreTechnology or IntegrationData/technology partner for the National Recovery Housing Directory. Provides the residence information system that powers the real-time directory of NARR-certified recovery residences. Data for the directory is maintained by state affiliate organizations and compiled with Behave Health.
• Opioid Response NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNARR actively participates in federal technical assistance initiatives including the Opioid Response Network TA program. This involvement ensures NARR expertise in recovery housing informs national strategies and policies.
• Federal AgenciesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNARR works with federal agencies in pursuit of better and more accessible recovery housing opportunities. This includes advocacy, policy development, and technical assistance coordination.
• National Addiction and Recovery OrganizationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNARR partners with national addiction and recovery organizations to advance recovery housing standards and expand access to quality recovery residences.
• State Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services AgenciesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNARR works with state SUD services agencies in pursuit of better and more accessible recovery housing opportunities. Provides system development services to help states design and implement recovery housing systems.
• Association of Halfway House Alcoholism Programs of North America (AHHAP)historicalStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerged with NARR in 2013, contributing to NARR's standards and ethics framework development.
• Oxford HousehistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerOxford Houses are the most widely known example of Level I peer-run recovery residences. Oxford House was the primary model for chartered recovery residence standards at NARR's founding. Recognized in SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices.
• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAMHSA recognizes Oxford Houses in its National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. NARR standards are aligned with broader behavioral health frameworks.
• ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNARR Levels of Support are informed by ASAM's categorization of different types of treatment and recovery programs. Collaborated on infographic regarding inclusion of recovery residences in ASAM Criteria.
• Chandler Lodge FoundationminorOthersExecutive Director Dave Sheridan has background in roles within Chandler Lodge Foundation, complementing efforts to advance recovery housing standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oxford House: The largest network of peer-run (Level I) recovery residences in the US and the foundational model for NARR's standards. Oxford Houses were the primary model for chartered recovery residence standards at NARR's founding, making it the most directly comparable peer-run residence operator.
• Faces & Voices of Recovery: National recovery advocacy organization that, like NARR, mobilizes the recovery community, shapes federal policy, and supports recovery-oriented systems of care. Operates in an adjacent advocacy and standards-promotion role.
• National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP): National membership and advocacy organization for addiction treatment providers. Comparable to NARR as a sector-wide membership body setting quality expectations and advocating for providers, though focused on treatment rather than recovery housing.
• Shatterproof: National nonprofit focused on addiction policy, treatment quality, and recovery support. Comparable as a federally-engaged advocacy organization shaping how addiction services are funded, measured, and quality-controlled.
• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals: National membership and certification body for addiction-focused counselors and professionals. Comparable as a certification and education-driven organization that defines practitioner standards and offers training across the addiction field.
• CCAPP (California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals): California-based NARR state affiliate that certifies addiction programs and professionals. Directly comparable as a state-level affiliate operating the same certification and provider-support model that NARR orchestrates nationally.
• Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR): Recovery community organization pioneering peer recovery support and recovery coaching, including the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy. Comparable as a recovery-focused training and advocacy organization adjacent to NARR's mission of expanding quality recovery support.

Broad incumbents

• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: Major addiction treatment provider with national brand recognition and standards influence. Comparable as a dominant addiction care institution whose treatment frameworks and publications shape sector norms, though it operates clinical services rather than housing-only standards.
• Caron Treatment Centers: Established, large-scale addiction treatment provider with national reach and policy influence. Comparable as a high-profile sector player whose treatment models and quality expectations shape how recovery services are perceived, though it is primarily a treatment operator.
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing: Large national membership organization representing mental health and substance use providers. Comparable as a sector-wide body advocating for quality, funding, and standards across behavioral health — overlapping with NARR's federal advocacy and standards work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/narronline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@narronline
• Facebookfacebook.com/narronline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/narronline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Alliance for Recovery Residences