Group home facts for kids
A group home is a special kind of house where people who are not family live together. These homes are for people who need extra support or care to live safely and well. Before the 1970s, many people who needed this kind of help lived in large institutions like hospitals or orphanages. Group homes offer a more family-like setting.
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What is a Group Home?
A group home is a private house that acts as a home for several people. These people share a common need for support or assistance. In the United States, group homes help people who might not be able to live alone. They provide a safe and caring environment.
Who Lives in a Group Home?
People who live in group homes come from different backgrounds. Some residents might have developmental disabilities. Others could be young people who have faced difficult situations and need a safe place to live and grow. Group homes help these individuals get the care and support they need to thrive.
How Group Homes Work
Group homes are different from places like halfway houses. In a group home, residents often help with daily tasks. This can include doing chores around the house or helping to manage a household budget. This helps residents learn important life skills.
Daily Life in a Group Home
A typical group home usually has between 3 and 16 residents. There is also a manager or staff who live there or work there to provide support. Residents might have their own room or share a room with someone else. They share common areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and living rooms. This setup helps create a community feeling. Residents can still do many normal things, like voting or attending university.
Group Homes and Foster Care
Sometimes, the term "group home" can also describe a home where children and teens from the foster care system live. These young people stay in a group home until a foster family can be found for them. These homes provide a stable and caring place during a time of change.
