The City of Tempe is committed to supporting properly licensed and regulated sober living homes that operate professionally and responsibly. These homes play a crucial role in addressing the needs of our residents, and the operators of these homes can and should be valued community partners.

However, state investigations into unlawful sober living homes have raised significant concerns regarding the health, safety and well-being of both vulnerable residents and the broader Tempe community. Tempe is actively working to assist state authorities, enforce our city codes and ordinances and help residents who have been victimized, including Native Americans and unsheltered people struggling with addiction. 

Tempe City Council action

Tempe is exploring the development of several new tools to address unlawful sober living homes, reduce victimization and protect neighborhoods. The Tempe City Council, at its Jan. 11 meeting, approved the exploration of several recommendations, including the creation of a general business license and ordinance to address excessive calls for service. Read the update.  

Read the 2023 City Council Statement on Unlawful Sober Living Homes. Read the 2023 Unlawful Sober Living Homes Resolution.

City task force

Tempe's work to address concerns about sober living homes includes:

• Bringing together the expertise of multiple city departments to protect the community, including Community Health and Human Services, Neighborhoods, Tempe Police Department, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue and Code Enforcement.
• Creating an internal process for identifying possible fraud by providers to enhance our communication and response.
• Filing multiple complaints with state authorities about potentially fraudulent operators.
• Ensuring that properties are operating in compliance with city code and regulatory licenses.
• Connecting victims who were part of an American Indian Health Program billing scheme to the organizations overseeing the state’s crisis response.
• Assisting other victims not connected to a tribe, who were largely homeless, with shelter and resources provided by the city and community partners.
• Regularly meeting with state authorities, and local partners such as Tempe Elementary School District and the nonprofit Solari Crisis and Human Services for a collaborative, coordinated response.