Oxford House - Rip Van Winkle

Oxford House Rip Van Winkle is an ordinary rented house in Catskill, New York, in Greene County, run by the men who live in it. It has 6 beds, a household small enough that everyone takes a turn at every job.

There is no staff here and nobody is a patient. The residents hold the charter themselves, elect their own officers, and divide the rent, utilities and household bills between them, which is what keeps a week here within reach of someone just back at work. The charter comes down to three rules: run the house democratically, pay its own way, and immediately expel anyone who goes back to drinking or using. Nobody leaves on a schedule — most arrive after detox or a residential program and stay until they are ready to go.