In the Netherlands, the care for people with serious mental health problems is more and more offered in the clients home. The most recent version of this type of mental health care is called 'psychiatric home care'. This article presents the results of a researchproject on the backgrounds of the clients of psychiatric home care. The results show that psychiatric home care is offered to people who suffer from serious mental health problems and who have difficulties in independent living. Almost all of the clients have spent some periods of their lives in psychiatric hospitals. Data from the projects suggest that the home care is effective, measured by the goal of preventing hospitalization. The value of psychiatric home care as a substitute for a hospital stay is less clear. Many clients - even after having received home care for a prolonged period - spend their days at home, with few social contacts and having little to do. The authors conclude that the social integration of people with serious mental health problems asks for a broader community support system.