The Relationship of Housing Costs and Quality to Housing Satisfaction of Older American Homeowners: Regional and Racial Differences

Abstract

The American population is aging and exhibits an increased desire and trend for aging-in-place. The high proportion of homeownership among older Americans influences this desire to remain in their own environment in the later years of life. Rapid increases in housing costs associated with securing and maintaining housing units have not deterred older Americans from desiring to sustain independent living. Recent studies of this older segment of the population have suggested the need to further investigate the association between housing costs, housing quality and residential satisfaction. Using 1991 American Housing Survey data of homeowners aged 65 and over, this study tested the effects of housing costs and quality on residential satisfaction, and examined these effects by regional and racial differences of the elderly homeowners. A logistic regression model was developed to estimate factors likely to affect the homeowners’ satisfaction. The results showed that the majority of elderly homeowners were very satisfied with their housing, and while some dwelling deficiencies were reported, the influence of housing quality on residential satisfaction was found positively related among the four regional and two racial classifications. Housing satisfaction in relationship to housing costs was significantly different by race; only White householders who paid more for housing reported greater residential satisfaction.

As the American society ages, the housing market will focus more on the needs and desires of the older population, whose concerns will receive greater emphasis. In order for the market to meet the diversity of housing needs across regional and racial differences, it is vital for public policy makers, advisors, and advocates to understand the effects of indicators of housing satisfaction specific to this population. Based on this study, housing quality was one of the most influential factors contributing to older adult’s housing satisfaction. Policies and programs addressing housing quality will influence older Americans’ preferences for remaining in their own homes, and their quality of life, as well.

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Notes on contributors

Lillian Y. Zhu

Lillian Zhu is a doctoral student and Gladys Shelton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics at the University of Georgia.

Gladys G. Shelton

Lillian Zhu is a doctoral student and Gladys Shelton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics at the University of Georgia.