New legislation would create safety and oversight requirements for 3/4 homes

PITTSBURGH — Growing concern over places known as "three-quarter" recovery homes has prompted some lawmakers to introduce legislation that would create safety and oversight requirements for them.

"It started with marijuana. That wasn't enough, he went to pills. That wasn't enough, smoking and snorting heroin, and then finally injection," said Jeannie Sundo, who lost her son to a heroin overdose.

WEB EXTRA: Difference between halfway house and 3/4 house

Kyle Sundo died in April, 2016, and his funeral was held on what would have been his 22nd birthday. His mother said she did everything she could to help her son, including having him go to rehab and spend time in recovery homes. It was in the "three-quarter" recovery homes where she believes Kyle had several setbacks.

"Some of them are horrible to live in and just make things worse for the addict. All they did was to take blankets to make space and they hung wire and blankets up, there were six people, six beds in an attic," said Sundo. "The owners of the home or the house managers, most of them knew there were drugs coming into the house."

WEB EXTRA: Questions to ask recovery houses

The recovery homes are known as "three-quarters" because the recovering addicts who live there are supposed to be three quarters of the way there in terms of basic life skills. Unlike halfway houses, which are licensed and inspected, "three-quarter" homes are not regulated at all.

"Because the homes are not regulated, you are seeing drug use creep up in them, you're seeing people who desperately need support being warehoused in these homes, and they are not getting the support they need, and it's tragic," said Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak.

Anyone can open a "three quarter" recovery house with virtually no oversight. The houses have been popping up in Western Pennsylvania, and it's unclear how many there are.

WEB EXTRA: House Bill 2156

Two bills introduced in Harrisburg would offer some oversight. The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is currently reviewing taskforce recommendations for minimum standards. Those standards would include drug and alcohol screening, safety standards and training for recovery house managers.

The non-profit Recovery United Pittsburgh operates five recovery homes with a total of 78 beds, and already follows the proposed guidelines.

"We are different. We offer way more than the norm," said John Miller, of Recovery United Pittsburgh.

Recovery United Pittsburgh requires 12-step meetings, curfew times and has established chores at the houses to reinforce responsibility.

WEB EXTRA: DDAP Task Force

"There's a small window of opportunity when an addict is ready to be clean. If you miss that window, you don't know when you can get it back," said Ali Bradley, of Recovery United Pittsburgh.

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