81% of respondents indicated their loved one with AS lived in the family home. (Source: 2025 ASF Adult Survey)

Definition:  a residence shared by a person with AS and their related family members.

Care is provided by either paid or unpaid family caregivers (only some states allow family members to be paid for caregiving); outside direct care professionals (DSPs), nursing professionals, therapists, or volunteers who come into the home; or a combination.

Financial considerations include charging room and board or setting up a “fair share” arrangement.

++ Important Note: Many families who care for a loved one with Angelman syndrome at home desire housing options outside the family home—options that provide the right support while still allowing their loved one to enjoy freedom and a good quality of life. This need highlights the housing crisis facing adults with AS, and it’s where the ASF is working to offer support and drive change.

7% of respondents indicated their loved one with AS lived in a 24/7 Supervised Living Home. (Source: 2025 ASF Adult Survey)

Definition: A residence of four to six adults who live with a small number of similarly skilled adults with a disability. The property is owned, rented, or managed by an organization or agency that provides services to the adults in the home. This living arrangement is also commonly known as a “group home.”

Care is provided by the agency that owns and operates the 24/7 supervised living home. It is important to determine the staff-to-resident ratios.

Medicaid waivers are the most common source of funding for this living arrangement. Other funding avenues include: SSI/SSDI or private pay.

Additional consideration: There are different tenant setups you might consider such as 24/7 supervised living homes made up of all females or all males.

5% of respondents indicated their loved one with AS lived in their own residence. (Source: 2025 ASF Adult Survey)

Definition: a home owned or rented by a family member or guardian/conservator for the benefit of the individual with Angelman syndrome. This may include one to three additional tenants.

Care is most often provided by outside direct care professionals (DSPs) and nursing professionals who come into the home. Many families create an LLC and hire outside management for staffing and running private residential homes.

There are important financial rules to keep in mind when planning a residential setting for someone with a disability. To qualify for government benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a person with a disability can only have a limited amount of financial assets in their name. Working with a legal or financial advisor can help you plan wisely and avoid putting those benefits at risk.

Additional tenant consideration: Selecting the correct roommates/ other tenants in the residential setting can be as important as choosing which living setting works best for your loved one. A cohabitation written contract is always advised.

Interested in creating your own residential option by purchasing a single-family home? Learn more here.

4% of respondents indicated their loved ones live in a planned community. (Source: 2025 ASF Adult Survey)

Definition: A planned community for people with AS and/or other IDDs is a person-centered housing model built around shared values that foster meaningful relationships, work opportunities, independence, and community integration through voluntary, inclusive living arrangements. 

Planned communities are often owned and operated by nonprofits that are mission-driven, and some are faith-based communities.

Financially, planned communities often rely on a mix of Medicaid funding, grants, donations, and private pay.

More Information | Farm-style Example | Campus-Style Example

3% of respondents indicated their loved one with AS lived in a shared/host home model.  (Source: 2025 ASF Adult Baseline Survey)

Definition: a home owned by an unrelated individual or family that provides supportive services to one or more people with AS and/or others IDD.

Care is most often provided by the host individual or family and they are paid through Medicaid/SSI.

1% of respondents indicated their loved one with AS live in Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IDD).
(Source: 2025 ASF Adult Baseline Survey)

Definition: A place with 25 or more people who receive support in their room or apartment. In an ICF setting, the state government pays for my treatment at a healthcare building.

The key difference in these two settings is that an ICF/IID is a federally regulated, Medicaid-funded residential option specifically designed for people with IDD. Assisted living facilities are mostly designed for elderly residents, sometimes adults with mild IDD. The staff is not specialty trained.

All 50 states offer ICFs to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities have access to the necessary care and support. 

Medicaid is the primary payor of an ICF/IID, while Assisted Living is funded through a combination of private pay and medicaid waivers.

Something to Note: Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IDD) are legally and functionally considered institutions under federal Medicaid regulations. Here’s the thing: Not all ICFs look like what people think of as institutions. Some are small, home-like, community-based. Others resemble hospitals or dorms on a larger campus.