Halfway Houses in Columbus, OH
Free & low-cost transitional housing options for people reentering society in Columbus, OH
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Quick Answer
The Columbus metro area has approximately 30 halfway houses and transitional housing facilities. Free options exist through the federal BOP reentry pathway (placement is arranged by your BOP case manager and may be in a neighboring city), Ohio corrections programs, and faith-based organizations. Private pay facilities typically charge up to $900/month. Call 211 or SAMHSA (1-800-662-4357) to find available beds near you.
Columbus, OH Halfway Houses at a Glance
~30
Facilities (est.)
Free–$900
Monthly Cost
30–180
Days (Typical Stay)
5
Types Available
Halfway Houses & Reentry Facilities in Columbus, OH
6 directory entries. Confirm the exact operator and address, services, costs and admission requirements directly before paying or visiting. A listing does not confirm a vacancy or acceptance.
| Facility | Area | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Alvis, Inc. (Main Office)network 2100 Stella Court, Columbus, OH 43215 | AreaColumbus | Phone | Detailsfederal BOP RRC contractor, ODRC halfway house operator, behavioral health treatment, workforce development |
Alvis Price Hallnetwork 844 Bryden Road, Columbus, OH 43205 | AreaNear East Side (Bryden Road campus) | Phone | DetailsODRC-contracted halfway house |
Alvis Dunning Hallnetwork 868 Bryden Road, Columbus, OH 43205 | AreaNear East Side (Bryden Road campus) | Phone | DetailsODRC-contracted halfway house |
Alvis Breslin Hallnetwork 971 Bryden Road, Columbus, OH 43205 | AreaNear East Side (Bryden Road campus) | Phone | DetailsODRC-contracted halfway house |
Alvis Alum Creeknetwork 1755 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43207 | AreaSouth Side | Phone | DetailsODRC-contracted halfway house, men, treatment programs on site (CARF-listed) |
Alvis Jackson Pikenetwork 2655 Jackson Pike, Columbus, OH 43223 | AreaSouthwest Columbus | Phone | DetailsODRC-contracted halfway house |
An organization may offer several different programs. Ask which program and location the contact handles. “Contact for location” means this directory has no street address; it does not establish that the address is confidential. Use the organization’s own current contact information.
What Is a Halfway House?
A halfway house (also called a Residential Reentry Center or transitional housing) is a structured living environment for people transitioning from incarceration back into the community, or for those in recovery from substance abuse. Halfway houses provide a stable place to live while residents find employment, attend treatment programs, and rebuild their lives.
In Columbus, halfway houses range from federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Residential Reentry Centers — which serve the area’s judicial district, with the physical facility sometimes in a neighboring city — to state-funded transitional programs, private pay facilities, faith-based homes, and Oxford Houses. Each type has different rules, costs, and admission criteria.
Types of Halfway Houses in Columbus
| Type | Description | Cost | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal BOP | Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs) for those completing federal sentences. Placement arranged by BOP case managers. | Free | Yes |
| State-Funded | Ohio corrections-funded transitional housing. Placement through parole/probation officers. | Free | Yes |
| Private Pay | Privately operated facilities. Self-referral accepted. Some accept Medicaid or offer sliding-scale fees. | up to $900/mo | Yes |
| Faith-Based | Operated by churches and religious organizations. Often include spiritual programming. Usually free or low cost. | Free/Low | Yes |
| Oxford Houses | Democratically run, self-supporting sober living homes. Residents share expenses and hold each other accountable. No time limit on stay. | $400–$600/mo | Yes |
“Yes” on the Federal BOP row means a BOP-contracted Residential Reentry Center operates in this city or its metro area (checked against BOP’s published RRC directory, September 2026). “Area served” means no RRC is listed locally — the BOP pathway still covers this judicial district, placement may be at a facility in a neighboring city, and it is always arranged by your BOP case manager. The other rows reflect what large U.S. cities typically offer; confirm what operates near you through the directory above, 211, or SAMHSA (1-800-662-4357).
What to Expect: Rules & Requirements
Rules vary by facility, but here are the typical requirements at halfway houses in Columbus:
- Curfew
- 10 PM weekdays, midnight weekends
- Drug Testing
- Random testing 2-3 times monthly
- Employment Requirement
- Must seek employment within 30 days
- Meetings Requirement
- 3 meetings per week minimum
- Additional Rules
- Maintain personal hygiene
- No alcohol or drugs
- Attend all mandatory programming
- Typical Stay Duration
- 30–180 days. Federal BOP placements are typically 90–180 days. State programs vary. Oxford Houses have no time limit as long as you remain sober and pay your share.
Cost Breakdown
Free options: Federal BOP Residential Reentry Centers are free for those completing federal sentences. Ohio also funds transitional housing programs at no cost for qualifying individuals. Many faith-based organizations provide free beds.
Private pay: Private halfway houses in Columbus typically charge up to $900/month. This usually includes a shared room, meals, and access to programming. Some facilities accept Medicaid or offer sliding-scale fees.
Oxford Houses: $400–$600/month (shared expenses among all residents). No staff — residents govern themselves. Typically the most affordable option after free programs.
How to Find & Apply for a Halfway House in Columbus
- 1.
Federal BOP Placement
If you are completing a federal sentence, your BOP case manager will arrange placement at a Residential Reentry Center (RRC). You do not need to find one yourself — this is part of your release plan.
- 2.
State DOC / Parole Office
Contact your Ohio parole or probation officer for state-funded transitional housing options. They can refer you to contracted providers in the Columbus area.
- 3.
Call 211
Dial 211 for free referrals to halfway houses, shelters, and transitional housing in Columbus. Available 24/7 in most areas.
- 4.
SAMHSA Helpline
Call 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7) for referrals to substance abuse treatment and transitional housing programs. SAMHSA also maintains an online treatment locator.
- 5.
Oxford House Directory
Visit oxfordhouse.org to find Oxford Houses in Columbus. These self-supporting sober living homes accept applications directly — no referral needed.
Oxford Houses in Columbus
Oxford Houses are a unique model of sober living — they are democratically run by residents, self-supporting (no government funding), and have no time limit on stay. Each house holds 6–15 residents who share expenses equally. The only requirement is maintaining sobriety — one positive drug or alcohol test means immediate expulsion (voted on by residents).
To apply, visit oxfordhouse.org and search for houses in Columbus. You can also call the Oxford House World Services office at 1-800-689-6411. Typical cost is $400–$600/month for a shared room, which includes all utilities.
Ohio Halfway House Regulation
- Licensing Required?
- Yes
- Regulatory Body
- Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS)
- Details
- Ohio licenses residential treatment facilities through OhioMHAS. Ohio also certifies halfway houses through the Division of Parole and Community Services.
Reentry Programs in Columbus
Ohio DRC operates Community-Based Correctional Facilities (CBCFs) and halfway houses through the Division of Parole and Community Services. Franklin County Reentry Coalition coordinates local services. Alvis Inc. is the largest community corrections provider in Ohio.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many halfway houses are in Columbus?
Are there free halfway houses in Columbus?
What does a halfway house cost in Columbus?
How do I find a halfway house in Columbus?
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