The Wolf administration is preparing to enforce its long-awaited licensing system for addiction recovery homes, which have operated with little oversight for years. But Spotlight PA found few recovery homes have applied for the licenses with a key deadline just two months away. 

No one knows exactly how many recovery homes there are in Pennsylvania, but they are believed to number in the thousands. Last year, the Wolf administration estimated about 600 houses would seek a license.

So far, only a few dozen have applied. Others can do so at any time.

The licenses are voluntary but required for those providers looking to receive funding from federal, state, or county agencies. Starting June 9, unlicensed homes receiving public funding could be fined up to $1,000 per day.

The relatively low number of enrollees is raising concerns that not enough operators will get on board with a reform meant to provide greater oversight and greater support for people struggling with addiction statewide.

THE CONTEXT: The Wolf administration's licensing system — meant to reduce the number of unregulated and substandard houses in operation — drew pushback from the industry over the costs of compliance. 

In response, the state eliminated a financial audit requirement, scaled back other rules, and began accepting recovery house applications in 2021.

Some operators have embraced the new system early, but slow sign-ups have observers concerned about the impacts on patients and oversight at a time of extraordinary demand for such services.  

"There's clearly a long way to go," said William Stauffer, executive director of the Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance, which advocates for people in recovery. "And I think the jury is out. Will we have enough that can afford to go through it? …And then we need to consider what happens to people who are unable to afford the more expensive licensed houses."

Read more Spotlight PA coverage about this issue here.