Presented are survey data from nursing homes and halfway houses on the costs associated with the provision of community-based residential care for the psychosocially disabled, along with an examination of the differences in those costs as they relate to characteristics of disability groups or types of facilities, and an analysis of the contributions of various service and organizational factors to those costs. Discussed are the study's methodology, an overview of operating and startup costs for residential facilities, and costs for residential services to five disability groups (mentally ill adults, mentally ill juveniles, aged mentally ill, alcoholics, and drug abusers). The economics of residential facilities are discussed in terms of environmental variables (such as locational and regional determinants) and organizational variables (such as staffing patterns). A comprehensive model for residential costs is presented along with a comparison of three independent samples of residential programs. Costs to community mental health centers for residential services are also covered. Among the findings discussed is that costs for residential services are highly related to the level of services provided inhouse and to the disability group served. A bibliography is provided, along with an appendix that includes tabular data. (DLS)