Models of Residential Provision for People with Disabilities: Report

This paper reviewed residential options available to people with disabilities (2010) in Ireland and internationally and found that compared to congregated settings, smaller, community-based dwellings that provide opportunities for choice and control are associated with better outcomes for people with disabilities.

The review found that in many jurisdictions the dominant model of residential support is the community group home. In the US, the number of residents supported in a community group home is typically less than four, whereas in Australia community group homes usually support four-six people.

The selection of these models is informed by an examination of peer-reviewed literature on quality outcomes in residential supports, site visits to the United Kingdom and the United States, and consultation with expert informants.