Alternatives to Group Homes in California: What Families Need to Know

If you are a parent or family member of an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) in California, you have probably been told that a group home is the next step. For decades, that was the default. But the landscape of supportive living has changed — and families now have more options than ever.

The question is no longer whether alternatives exist. It is which one is the right fit for your loved one.

Why Families Are Looking Beyond Group Homes

Group homes serve a purpose. They provide 24/7 staffing, structured routines, and a stable environment. For individuals with high medical or behavioral needs, they can be the right choice.

But for many adults with IDD, group homes come with tradeoffs that families find hard to accept:

• Limited choice. Residents rarely choose who they live with. Roommates are assigned based on bed availability, not compatibility.

• Rotating staff. Caregivers work shifts. Your loved one may see a different face every day, making it hard to build trust or genuine relationships.

• Institutional feel. Even well-run group homes operate on the facility's schedule, not the individual's. Meals, activities, and bedtimes are often standardized.

• Less independence. The structure that makes group homes safe can also limit personal growth and autonomy.

These are not criticisms of every group home — they are structural realities of the model. And they are the reason California has been expanding community-based alternatives through the Regional Center system.

The Main Alternatives in California

Supported Living Services (SLS)

Supported Living Services is a Regional Center-funded program that helps adults with IDD live in their own home or apartment with tailored support. Unlike group homes, SLS is designed around the individual — their goals, their routines, their preferences.

SLS can include daily living skills training, community integration support, overnight assistance, and more. The level of support is flexible and adjusts as the individual's needs change.

Life-Sharing

Life-sharing is a specific model within SLS where your loved one is matched with a compatible supportive roommate and the two share a home together. It is not a group home with fewer people — it is a genuine living partnership.

The roommate is not a paid caregiver working a shift. They live there. They share meals, go grocery shopping, watch movies, and build a real friendship. This one-on-one model creates the kind of stability and personal connection that rotating staff cannot replicate.

At Homies, every roommate goes through a rigorous screening process including FBI background checks, personality assessments, and comprehensive training. Matches are based on compatibility — lifestyle, interests, communication style, and daily routines.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

IHSS is a Medi-Cal funded program that pays a caregiver — often a family member — to help with specific daily tasks like bathing, meal preparation, and transportation to medical appointments. IHSS is not a housing solution on its own, but it can be combined with SLS or life-sharing to provide additional support hours.

Family Home Agencies (FHA)

Family Home Agencies place individuals with IDD into certified family homes. The host family provides support while integrating the individual into their household. This can work well for people who thrive in a family-oriented environment, though it offers less independence than SLS or life-sharing.

Independent Living Programs (ILP)

ILPs focus on skill-building — budgeting, cooking, cleaning, transportation — to help individuals eventually live on their own with minimal support. This is a great option for people who are close to full independence but need structured training first.

How to Decide What Is Right

The best living arrangement depends on your loved one's needs, goals, and personality:

A group home may still be the right fit if your loved one needs 24/7 medical or behavioral support that requires licensed staff on-site at all times.

SLS or life-sharing may be better if your loved one wants more independence, would benefit from a genuine peer relationship, and can be safe with the right level of support rather than constant supervision.

IHSS combined with life-sharing can work well if your loved one has complex needs that span both personal care tasks and independence goals.

The key question to ask: Does my loved one need an institution, or do they need the right person?

For many families, the answer is the right person. And that is exactly what life-sharing provides.

How to Get Started

If your loved one is a Regional Center client in California, start by talking to their service coordinator about SLS and life-sharing options. Many coordinators are familiar with the model but may not bring it up unless you ask.

You can also visit our families page to learn how Homies supports families through this process, read about how our matching process works, or reach out to our team directly. No commitment — just honest answers from people who understand what you are going through.

For families thinking about long-term planning, our guide on future planning for your adult child covers how to start the conversation and what to consider.