The study describes and evaluates the nature and quality of community residential accommodation and the extent to which it met the needs of residents. The functioning of community residences with reference to the appropriateness of premises and their operational role in providing for the residents is discussed. Residents themselves were the prime reporting agents as to the view of their lives and their degree of satisfaction with current service provision. The interaction of the residents with their neighbourhood and environment was also investigated. Enquiry was made as to their ‘citizenisation’, such as voting registration, participation in social amenities and use of community services. In addition, staff understanding of the aims and functions of the residences and their perceptions of the factors that promoted or impeded independent living were investigated.