The 1980s: Real Support for Community Living and Institutional Closures

Two major changes to federal funding opened the door for the expansion of smaller and smaller residential settings and the operation of such settings by nonstate agencies.

At the same time, the rate of institutional closures increased. In the 1980s, 46 State residential facilities closed.

As institutions closed, smaller community residential settings increased.

Photo courtesy William Bronston, M.D.