Oxford Houses in Mitchell offer a life-saving model for recovery and stability

Mitchell: For Shawn Mousseau, the Oxford House was a game changer. He was battling alcohol addiction and found a safe space there. It helped him get sober and rebuild his life.

The Oxford House model is catching the eye of local leaders as a smart, cost-effective alternative to regular shelters. There’s been a lot of talk about setting up a homeless shelter in Mitchell at city council meetings. Councilman Mike Bathke is all for the Oxford House approach, highlighting how it brings accountability and stability to those who need it.

When Bathke talks about homelessness in Mitchell, he points to Oxford House as a better, more sustainable option than a city-run shelter. He believes in holding people accountable, saying, “You can’t do nothing.”

Bathke’s support for Oxford House comes from worries about traditional shelters. He fears they might draw in people from other areas, straining local resources. He even mentioned how a city-run shelter could turn Mitchell into a magnet for those in need, just like what happened in Sioux Falls.

The Oxford House concept started back in 1975, thanks to Paul Molloy. It’s all about Recovery, Responsibility, and Replication. These houses aren’t treatment centers; they’re supportive living spaces for folks recovering from substance use issues. Residents help each other out on their recovery journeys.

Today, there are over 3,100 Oxford Houses across the U.S., with 28 in South Dakota, including two in Mitchell that opened in 2023. These houses are doing great work, providing a structured environment for residents to get back on their feet.

Mousseau, now a proud alumnus of the program, shares the philosophy behind these houses. “We’re just trying to be a safe place to be as far as addictions go,” he says.

Both Oxford Houses in Mitchell are currently full, and the residents are not just staying sober; they’re thriving in a supportive community. They run the houses themselves, taking turns managing everything from finances to chores. Weekly meetings keep everyone accountable and allow them to share their experiences.

For many, this program is life-changing. Taylor Metter, president of Sweet Grass, talks about the challenges of living with people from different backgrounds. “It’s a learning curve,” he admits. “Learning to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts peacefully has been crucial.”

To get into an Oxford House, you have to go through a thorough application process, including an interview with current members. This ensures everyone is committed to the house’s principles.

“This place is truly about accountability,” says Beau Mackey, president of House 7. He was nervous about moving in after being released from prison, but he’s found it amazing. “I’ve learned how to be responsible again, how to ‘adult’ as they say.”

Mackey, who just got out of prison a little over a month ago, says the supportive environment has been a game changer for his recovery. “What a cool place to have as an option,” he adds.

The success of the Oxford Houses in Mitchell isn’t just about providing a safe place to live; it’s about the community they create. Residents support each other and share in the ups and downs of recovery.

“Addiction doesn’t care about little differences. We all have the same story,” says Danny Pacheco, a former resident of House 7 who has been sober since March 2023. He spent nearly two decades on the streets before finding Oxford House, and he credits the supportive environment with saving his life.

For Pacheco, this is the longest he’s been sober since he was 12. The houses are more than just a roof over their heads; they’re places where residents actively work on improving their lives. For instance, the residents of House 7 recently voted to lower their rent for a few months to help each other out during the holidays.

“I was able to pay rent and pay off my probation fines,” Metter shares.

Bringing the Oxford House model to Mitchell had its challenges, especially in finding the right properties. Landlord Tara Volesky played a crucial role in making it happen. After hearing about the model at an Exchange Club meeting, she did her homework and decided to rent one of her properties to them.

“I had no problem renting to them, and they’ve been absolutely wonderful,” Volesky says, noting that the residents even help with repairs. “It’s been beneficial for everyone involved.”

Finding the right neighborhood was another hurdle. Volesky remembers when the men’s group wanted to rent a large house near Dakota Wesleyan University, and some neighbors were worried about the impact on the area.

“It can definitely be a challenge to find a neighborhood that’s open to this type of housing,” she says. But the current location, in a quiet area near downtown, has been well-received, with no complaints from neighbors.

The Oxford House model is unique because it’s financially self-sustaining. They start with a loan from the Oxford House World Office, not city funds. This loan helps secure properties, and then the houses become self-sufficient. Residents pay either $125 weekly or $540 monthly for rent and utilities. Unlike traditional shelters, which can cost a lot per person annually, Oxford Houses rely on the contributions of residents, making them a more affordable option.

The Mitchell Oxford Houses have already shown they can be financially stable, paying back their initial loan in just 6-7 months, much faster than the usual 12-18 months for other houses.

“We’ve managed to build up a nice cushion,” Mousseau says. “We haven’t had to rely on external funding, and we’re paying back the initial loan, which is huge.”

According to Mousseau, Mitchell’s two Oxford Houses are among the few in South Dakota to achieve this level of financial self-sufficiency, making them standout examples of the model.

As the success of the Oxford Houses in Mitchell becomes clearer, there’s talk of expanding to include a house for women. Mousseau and Pacheco have seen how well the model works for men and are hopeful they can replicate that success with a third house in the city.

“We’d love to get a house for women. There’s a real need for it,” Mousseau says.

As more Oxford Houses pop up, the success of the two in Mitchell serves as a model for other communities. For residents like Pacheco, these houses are more than just a place to live—they’re a lifeline, offering a chance to heal, recover, and start fresh.

“This place saved my life,” Pacheco says. “It gave me the chance to be the person I always wanted to be.”