Athens Navigates Legal Challenges in Regulating Recovery Homes
By David Forster
Posted on: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
ATHENS, Ohio – The Athens Planning Commission is developing zoning regulations for recovery homes amid resident concerns and questions about compliance with state and federal laws. The move comes after complaints regarding two recovery homes operated by Nex Level Behavioral Health and Addiction Services, a Columbus-based company, which were operating without proper state registration and accreditation.
Nex Level’s Compliance and Resident Concerns
Residents have voiced concerns about police activity at the Nex Level homes. Nex Level Executive Director Joi Jones stated she “simply forgot” to register the homes, and has since submitted the necessary forms to the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health on February 7, 2026. WOUB reports that the homes are now vacant as Jones begins the accreditation process, which requires meeting standards for staffing, supervision, and support services.
Concerns were also raised at a recent City Council meeting regarding the origin of residents, with complaints that individuals were being brought in from Columbus rather than serving the local Athens community. Jones has stated she intends to prioritize placing individuals from Athens and surrounding areas in the homes moving forward.
Police calls to the homes have included incidents involving individuals with outstanding warrants and cases of intoxication or overdose. Jones stated Nex Level does not conduct background checks on residents.
Understanding Recovery Home Standards
Recovery homes are designed to provide a supportive environment for individuals with a history of substance use. They operate at four levels, as defined by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, with increasing requirements for staffing and support at each level. Ohio Recovery Housing provides accreditation and has a 77-page manual of operating standards. WOUB reports that Nex Level has registered its Athens homes as level two, which relies heavily on peer support and requires at least one paid staff check-in daily.
Funding for recovery homes is limited, with no reimbursement available through Medicaid or private insurance. Operators often rely on funding from local Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Boards or generate revenue through affiliated treatment facilities offering services eligible for government funding.
Legal Considerations and Potential Zoning Restrictions
Local regulations for recovery homes are facing scrutiny due to potential conflicts with the Fair Housing Act. The U.S. Department of Justice weighed in on a case in Lawrence County, Ohio, stating that the act prohibits discrimination against individuals in addiction recovery. This means local governments may face legal challenges if they impose requirements on recovery homes that are not applied to other types of housing.
Specifically, the Justice Department highlighted that prohibiting recovery homes in single-family neighborhoods, imposing restrictions on the number of unrelated individuals living in a home without waivers for recovery home residents, or implementing spacing requirements could violate the Fair Housing Act. WOUB notes that any spacing requirements should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The Ridges Development and Housing Initiatives
Separately, development at The Ridges is progressing, with plans for a 27-acre property transfer from Ohio University to developers. The Athens Independent reports that Praxia Partners plans to develop hundreds of housing units, including senior housing, live-operate spaces, commercial areas, affordable housing for graduate students, and market-rate housing. A rezoning proposal for supportive housing near The Ridges faced a delay in February 2026 due to paperwork issues, impacting a $2 million grant application deadline. WOUB details this setback.
Ohio University also intends to establish a 535-acre conservation easement with the Athens Conservancy to protect natural areas at The Ridges.