Housing Inadequacy and Satisfaction of Black and White Households in Poverty

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of inadequate housing to the quality of life among poverty households in the United States. The 1991 American Housing Survey was used to study the contrasts between white and black households in poverty. Housing satisfaction was used as an indicator of quality of life. Although it has generally been accepted that race is a determinant of housing situation, this research indicates that housing and neighborhood factors are the direct determinants of housing satisfaction. Findings in this study support the hypothesis that being African American increases the likelihood of residing in inadequate housing. Housing satisfaction, however, is not directly influenced by race but rather by housing inadequacy and neighborhood satisfaction, which act as relatively strong intervening variables.

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Notes on contributors

Sue R. Crull

Dr. Crull is Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Iowa State University. The author thanks Wendy S. Romberg for assistance with this article