Ground Floor’s founder contacted a local man who had previously responded to an advertisement for conventional housing. The purpose of the call was to apologize and explain that the property would no longer be offered as a standard rental because it was being redirected toward recovery housing.

The man’s response changed the conversation. He said that he had just prayed for housing and explained that he had completed more than 70 total days of treatment. Only about two hours before the call, he had prayed for an open door as he searched for his first stable housing after treatment.

He also said that the only other sober-living house he was aware of in Bradford was currently at full capacity, making the unexpected call especially meaningful to him.

The two immediately recognized the unusual timing and began discussing the possibility of him becoming the home’s first resident and prospective house manager.

The need for recovery-supportive housing extends far beyond the most severe or highly publicized forms of substance use:

• Federal estimates indicate that approximately 15.99% of Pennsylvanians age 12 or older—about 1.78 million people—experienced a substance use disorder during the previous year. This broad category includes both alcohol and drug use disorders and is not limited to opioid use. (SAMHSA)

• Among Pennsylvanians ages 18 through 25, the estimated rate was 24.34%—nearly one in four young adults. (SAMHSA)

• Approximately 10.2% of Pennsylvanians age 12 or older experienced an alcohol use disorder, showing that alcohol alone represents a substantial portion of the need for recovery support. (SAMHSA)

• Nearly half—46%—of Pennsylvania’s substance-use treatment admissions during state fiscal year 2023–2024 were for outpatient services. That means many people work on their recovery while continuing to live in the community, making their housing and everyday environment especially important. (Pennsylvania Government)

Ground Floor Community Housing is intended for people seeking a stable, substance-free environment in which they can step away from old surroundings, develop healthier routines and build a sustainable life in recovery. It is not being designed only for people recovering from opioids or other drugs commonly associated with overdose headlines.

Ground Floor Community Housing is being developed around the belief that stable housing, personal responsibility and healthy community can provide a foundation for renewed lives.