The document reports results of a survey involving 4,427 community residential facilities (CRFs) for mentally retarded individuals. The report is divided into four major sections: Part I includes a review of the status of CRFs prior to the 1977 survey; Part II describes the methods and procedures used in conducting the survey; Part III presents results in terms of facility and resident characteristics; and Part IV summarizes survey results and discusses implications. Among findings were that the number of CRFs doubled between 1973 and 1977, thus verifying the impact of the deinstitutionalization movement; wide variations in facility size and the extent to which states use community living arrangements to serve mentally retarded people were two notable trends; severity of retardation and age of client served in CRFs varied across states, however, the most frequently identified resident in the nation was the young moderately and mildly retarded adult; and nationally, the average cost for residential care was $15.70 per day per resident which included costs of room, board, care, and personal items. Among appendixes are a copy of the survey questionnaire, materials used for mail followup, and information on phone followup procedures. (SBH)