The five terms, side by side
| Setting | What it is | Typically for | Usually funded by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group home | Small shared residence, staff on-site, a few residents | Adults with I/DD, behavioral-health step-down, veterans, youth aging out | Medicaid HCBS waiver |
| Supported living | Person's own home/apartment; support brought to them, flexible hours | People who want more independence with some support | Medicaid HCBS waiver |
| Host / family home | Person lives with a trained host family in the host's home | Those who do well in a small family setting | Medicaid HCBS waiver |
| ICF/IID | Licensed, medically oriented facility with active treatment | High medical/behavioral needs requiring skilled oversight | Medicaid (institutional) |
| Assisted living | Residential care for older adults needing daily help | Seniors | Private pay / LTC insurance |
How to think about which fits
The real question isn't the label — it's how much support the person needs, and how much independence they want. A useful way to frame it is by level of care:
Lighter support
Someone who mostly manages day-to-day but needs help with appointments, money, or routines often fits supported living or a light group home.
Moderate, daily support
Someone who needs consistent daily help and the safety of staff nearby often fits a staffed group home.
Intensive / clinical
Someone with high medical or behavioral needs may need an ICF/IID or a specialized program before a community home is safe.
Mai Heaven explains how we sort this on our how it works page and in our placement criteria.
How it's paid for (the part everyone gets stuck on)
Most supported living and group-home care isn't private-pay — it's funded through your state's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver. Each state runs its own waivers with their own names, eligibility, and — often — a waitlist. Because the rules change state by state, we keep a plain-language breakdown on our state pages, and a deeper explainer of how to find housing help and how licensing works.
Common questions
What is the difference between supported living and a group home?
A group home is a shared, staffed residence where several unrelated people live together with support on-site. Supported living means a person lives in their own home or apartment and support is brought to them, flexing to their needs. Group homes emphasize a staffed shared setting; supported living emphasizes individual choice and independence.
Is supported living cheaper than a group home?
It depends on the level of support. Group homes share staff across residents, which can make 24/7 support more affordable per person; supported living can cost less for part-time help or more for one-to-one support. Most of both are funded by a Medicaid HCBS waiver, not paid privately.
Who qualifies?
Typically adults with I/DD, people stabilizing after a behavioral-health crisis, some veterans, and youth aging out of foster care — with eligibility and funding through a state Medicaid waiver and a needs assessment. Requirements vary by state; see our state pages.
What is an ICF/IID?
An Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities — a licensed, medically oriented setting with continuous active treatment, used when someone's needs are too high for a community home.
Is a group home the same as assisted living?
No — assisted living serves older adults and is usually private-pay; group homes and supported living serve people with disabilities of any adult age and are usually Medicaid-waiver funded, focused on independence and community life.
Not sure which fits your situation?
Tell us a little about who needs a home — families and case managers welcome. It's free, and there's no obligation.
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