‘It's got its ups and downs’: what people with intellectual disabilities living in supported living and residential care like and dislike about their home

Ribenfors, Francesca ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5012-4816, Blood, Lauren, Hatton, Chris ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8781-8486 and Marriott, Anna (2025) ‘It's got its ups and downs’: what people with intellectual disabilities living in supported living and residential care like and dislike about their home. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 38 (1). e13313. ISSN 1360-2322

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Abstract

Background: Given the current sociopolitical climate, people with intellectual disabilities are spending more time at home. Much housing‐related research focuses on informant‐completed measures and quantifiable outcomes. By contrast, this article explores the perspectives of adults with intellectual disabilities concerning what they liked or disliked about their homes. Method: Data is drawn from 53 semi‐structured interviews with people with intellectual disabilities in supported living or residential care in England. Results: Three themes were generated: space and place; people make or break a home; and day‐to‐day autonomy. These highlight the importance of belonging and the significance of other people in the creation of ‘home’. Conclusion: If people are to flourish, attention must be paid to aspects of the home that provide comfort, enjoyment, and a sense of belonging. These findings can benefit professionals, family members and people with intellectual disabilities, when considering current or future living arrangements.