Marit Ekne RuudCo-located homes for persons with intellectual disabilitiesbalance between shared and private areas and use of communal spaces NIBR Report 2015:18 This study investigates the use of co-located homes for people with intellectual disabilities and whether the common areas are used as intended. The study explores the physical design and spatial arrangement of the private residential units and common areas, and the use of the latter. A key question concerns the extent to which this use correlates with the services provided by local authorities for the residents.