Historically, deinstitutionalization underwent a paradigm shift in the 1950s when an ideological change in society emerged due to previous continuous stigmatization and discrimination. These changes in social attitudes led to the development of different approaches towards individuals with intellectual disabilities. It is important to emphasize that it was only with the emergence of models based on human rights and social inclusion when people with intellectual disabilities began to be treated as active and equal members of society. Furthermore, the process of deinstitutionalization, together with the development of community-based support services, emphasizes the return of autonomy, dignity, choice and control over one's life, significantly impacting the realization of rights and the quality of life of individuals with intellectual disabilities as well as other people with disabilities. This process was significantly influenced by the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), which was ratified by the Republic of Croatia in 2007. This thesis highlights several articles of the Convention, including particularly important Article 19, "Living independently and being included in the community," for which deinstitutionalization is a key prerequisite. Following international policies, the Republic of Croatia has adopted various legislative acts to ensure the full participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of everyday life. The process of deinstitutionalization in Croatia began with projects initiated by the Association for Promoting Inclusion in 1997, in collaboration with the Center for rehabilitation Zagreb, representatives from the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Zagreb, the relevant Ministry, and the Open Society Mental Health Initiative. The formal process of deinstitutionalization in the Republic of Croatia began with the adoption of the National Plan for Deinstitutionalization and Transformation of Social Welfare Institutions in 2012. A year later, the project "Deinstitutionalization and Transformation of the Center for rehabilitation Zagreb and the Center for rehabilitation Stančić" began (Not i sur., ur., 2022). Based on the above, the aim of this thesis is to provide a professional and comprehensive overview on the process of deinstitutionalization and the development of community-based support services for adults with intellectual disabilities in Republic of Croatia. In this context, an example of good practice is presented with a focus on the social service of supported housing, the development of innovative services and the improvement of the quality of mental health care for individuals with intellectual disabilities within the Center for rehabilitation Zagreb. Additionally, the results of research on the quality of services in supported housing are presented, as well as the challenges that need to be overcome to improve service quality and expand innovative services in the future.