SLS vs Group Homes: What Families Should Know Before Choosing
Choosing where your adult child or family member with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) will live is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. For many California families, that decision comes down to two primary options: a group home or Supported Living Services (SLS), which includes life-sharing programs like Homies.
Both are legitimate, Regional Center-funded options. Neither is universally better than the other. The right choice depends entirely on your loved one's needs, goals, and personality. This guide walks through what each option actually looks like day-to-day, where they differ, and the questions you should be asking before you decide.
What Is a Group Home?
Group homes, sometimes called Community Care Facilities or Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/DD), are licensed residential settings where multiple adults with disabilities live together under professional supervision. In California, group homes are funded through the Regional Center system and are regulated by the Department of Social Services.
Here is what daily life in a group home typically looks like:
Shared living space with 4 to 6 residents, sometimes more
24/7 staffing with caregivers present around the clock
Shift-based care, meaning your loved one may interact with many different staff members throughout the week
Structured routines where meal times, activities, and schedules are often set by the facility
On-site support for medication management, personal care, and behavioral needs
Group homes can be a strong fit for individuals who need constant eyes-on supervision, have complex medical needs, or display behaviors that require specialized, trained staff at all times. The structured environment provides consistency and safety for people who may not be ready for or interested in a more independent setting.
What Are Supported Living Services and Life-Sharing?
Supported Living Services (SLS) take a fundamentally different approach. Instead of moving into a facility, the individual lives in their own home or apartment in the community, with personalized support built around their goals. Life-sharing is a specific model within SLS where the individual is matched with a supportive roommate who lives with them. You can read a deeper explanation on our What Is Life-Sharing page.
Here is what SLS and life-sharing look like in practice:
Your loved one lives in a real home or apartment, not a facility
1:1 support from one consistent roommate, not rotating shift workers
The individual chooses where they want to live and who they want to live with
Daily routines are flexible and driven by the individual's preferences, not a facility schedule
Support is personalized around their specific goals, whether that is learning to cook, getting a job, building friendships, or simply living more independently
The roommate is a genuine relationship, not a clinical one. They share meals, go on outings, and become part of each other's daily lives
SLS and life-sharing are best suited for individuals who want more independence, can manage some time on their own (even if just briefly), and would benefit from a deep, consistent relationship with one person rather than rotating professional caregivers. If you're considering this path, our guide on how to prepare your adult child for independent living covers the practical skills and steps to get started.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Understanding the practical differences between these two options can help clarify which direction makes sense for your family.
| | Group Home | SLS / Life-Sharing |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Licensed facility with multiple residents | Real apartment or house in the community |
| Staffing | Rotating shifts, multiple caregivers | One consistent supportive roommate |
| Residents | 4-6 individuals sharing the home | Your loved one and their roommate |
| Privacy | Shared bedrooms in some homes, shared common areas | Private bedroom, shared living space with one person |
| Daily Schedule | Set by the facility (meals, activities, wake/sleep times) | Set by the individual based on their preferences |
| Choice | Limited say over who they live with, what they eat, daily activities | High degree of choice over housing, roommate, routine |
| Community Access | Activities often organized as a group; can feel isolated from the broader community | Fully integrated into the neighborhood, shops, parks, and local life |
| Relationships | Professional caregiver-client dynamic | Genuine friendship and mutual support |
| Supervision Level | 24/7 eyes-on supervision available | Support available as needed; roommate is present but not constantly supervising |
| Cost to Family | Funded through Regional Center | Also funded through Regional Center; most families pay nothing out of pocket |
When a Group Home May Be the Right Choice
Group homes are not a lesser option. For some individuals, they are genuinely the best fit. A group home may be the right choice if your loved one:
Needs 24/7 eyes-on supervision and cannot safely be left alone, even briefly
Has significant medical needs that require trained nursing or medical staff on-site
Displays aggressive or self-injurious behaviors that require a team of trained staff to manage safely
Prefers a highly structured environment where routines are predictable and externally managed
Is not interested in or ready for the responsibilities that come with more independent living
If any of these describe your family member, a well-run group home with experienced staff can provide the safety, medical support, and structure they need.
When SLS or Life-Sharing May Be the Right Choice
Life-sharing through SLS tends to be a strong fit for individuals who want more control over their daily lives. Consider SLS or life-sharing if your loved one:
Wants to live independently but still needs some daily support
Can be left alone for a few hours without safety concerns
Would thrive with one consistent person rather than a rotation of different caregivers
Values choice in where they live, what they eat, and how they spend their time
Wants to be part of their community, going to local stores, restaurants, parks, and events as part of daily life rather than as organized group outings
Is looking for a real friendship, not just a professional care relationship
At Homies, we match individuals with compatible supportive roommates through a thorough process that considers personality, interests, lifestyle preferences, and support needs. The goal is not just a living arrangement but a genuine connection that enriches both people's lives.
Five Questions to Ask Before You Decide
If you are weighing these options for your family member, start with these questions:
How much independence does my loved one want? Talk to them directly. Many adults with IDD have clear preferences about how they want to live, and those preferences should drive the decision.
What level of supervision do they actually need? There is a difference between needing someone nearby and needing someone watching at all times. Be honest about where your loved one falls on that spectrum.
Do they have medical or behavioral needs that require specialized, on-site staff? If yes, a group home with trained staff may be the safer choice. If their needs are more about daily living support, SLS can likely meet them.
How important is consistency in caregivers? Some individuals do well with variety. Others become anxious or dysregulated when faced with unfamiliar people. If consistency matters, the 1:1 roommate model of life-sharing has a clear advantage.
How important is community integration? If your loved one lights up when they are out in the world, engaging with neighbors, going to coffee shops, and being part of the fabric of a neighborhood, SLS and life-sharing are designed to make that a daily reality.
Both Options Are Funded Through Regional Center
One of the most common misconceptions is that SLS or life-sharing costs more than a group home. In California, both options are funded through the Regional Center system. Most families pay nothing out of pocket for either choice. The decision should be based on fit, not on cost.
If you are a Regional Center client or a family exploring options, you can request information about SLS from your service coordinator. They can walk you through what is available in your area and help you understand what your Individual Program Plan (IPP) can include. Our family guide to Regional Center services explains how the IPP process works and how to request housing services step by step.
Finding the Right Fit
There is no single right answer here. A group home can be a safe, supportive, well-run environment where your loved one receives excellent care. Life-sharing through SLS can be a path to independence, friendship, and a life that looks and feels like anyone else's. The key is matching the option to the person, not the other way around.
If you think life-sharing might be the right direction for your family, we would love to talk with you. You can learn more about how it works, read answers to common questions, or get started as a Regional Center client. We are here to help you figure out whether Homies is the right fit, with no pressure and no rush.