Oxford House - South La Crosse

Oxford House South La Crosse is an ordinary rented house in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in La Crosse 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.