Introduction. The issue of self-reliance and the independence of people with intellectual disabilities is often discussed in the pedagogical literature, although it is sometimes approached in a narrow scope. It covers the issues of making decisions in trivial matters, apart from the fundamental ones, such as the possibility of deciding where and with whom to live. Aim. The main aim of the study was to determine the housing needs of adults with intellectual disabilities. Parents’ perspective (N = 68) aged 41 to 82 years was taken into account (M = 59,66, SD = 8,56). Method. The diagnostic survey method was used. A questionnaire, devised by the author, was used for a parent who lives with his adult child with intellectual disability. Results. The analysis of parents’ statements shows that more than half of them (53%) would like their adult child to live in the family home or with their siblings in the future, every third parent (32,4%) would like to live in a 24/7 small a family house for no more than 10 people. When asked to choose a potential facility for their adult child, the majority (64,7%) of the respondents indicated a small family home (e.g. L’Arche). Conclusion. There is a need to prepare parents so that they can part with their own child, allowing them more autonomy. It is also extremely important to increase the number of small family houses for adults with intellectual disabilities with permanently employed assistants.