The costs, nature and benefits of residential supports were examined for 20 adults with severe and complex disabilities living in newly built residential campuses and 20 adults living in small community-based dispersed housing schemes. Results indicated that participants living in dispersed housing schemes enjoyed a significantly greater quality of care and quality of life than participants living in residential campuses. The total costs of provision in dispersed housing schemes were significantly greater than the total costs of provision in residential campuses. These differences were accounted for by significantly greater direct staffing costs in the community-based services.