They've been evicted and have nowhere to go

Eviction due to addiction creates an immediate housing crisis that pressures families to provide emergency shelter. Whether caused by unpaid rent, property damage, or illegal activity, eviction often represents a major consequence that could motivate recovery - or become another crisis for family to solve without addressing underlying addiction.

Immediate safety assessment:

• Are they safe sleeping in car, with friends, or in shelter?
• Do they have access to food, basic hygiene, and medical care?
• Are dangerous people or situations involved in housing loss?
• Is weather or health creating genuine emergency conditions?
• Are children involved who need immediate protection?

Housing assistance decisions:

• Temporary emergency shelter (1-3 nights) while they make plans
• Help finding sober living or transitional housing programs
• Financial assistance for security deposits at approved housing
• Transportation to shelters or treatment facilities
• Support in applying for housing assistance programs

Boundaries around housing support:

• No long-term housing without concrete recovery actions
• Written agreements about house rules, sobriety, and expectations
• Time limits on any housing assistance provided
• Required participation in treatment or recovery programs
• No financial support that could fund continued drug use

Using housing crisis for recovery motivation:

• "I'll help you find treatment housing, not enable continued use"
• Connect housing assistance to specific recovery commitments
• Offer help with treatment center applications before housing
• Support their efforts to find sober living or recovery residences
• Make housing contingent on maintaining sobriety and recovery activities

When family housing becomes necessary:

• Clear written agreement about expectations and timeline
• Regular drug testing if staying in family home
• Participation in treatment or recovery programs required
• No guests, no substances, contribution to household when able
• Immediate eviction if agreement violated

1. Assess immediate safety - emergency shelter if genuinely dangerous situation

1. Set clear conditions for any housing assistance tied to recovery actions

1. Research recovery housing options before offering family housing

1. Create written agreement if providing temporary family housing

1. Connect to services - treatment, case management, housing assistance programs

They may use emotional manipulation, claiming they'll die on the streets or that other family members would never abandon them. Housing crises often create genuine recovery motivation, but some people choose continued addiction over accepting housing with sobriety requirements. Be prepared to follow through on boundaries even if they choose homelessness over recovery.

East Point Behavioral Health: (855) 887-6237 - Treatment options with housing components

Local Homeless Services: Emergency shelter and transitional housing information

Sober Living Homes: Recovery-focused housing with built-in support systems

Housing Assistance Programs: Government programs for housing support and rent assistance