SummaryThis paper describes a supported lodgings scheme as an alternative to group homes. It is pointed out that the County Council has a statutory duty to finance supported lodgings and that schizophrenics are ideally suited to such a scheme. Some short-stay, the majority of the ‘new’ non-demented long-stay, and a large number of the ‘old’ long-stay patients have been discharged by this means. Aftercare facilities were important, as nearly half attended the day centre and over one third were regularly visited in their lodgings by the community psychiatric nurses and social workers.