New Households, New Housing

The purpose of this study of housing is to investigate the concept of housing as multifunctional in relationship to housing satisfaction and link the important features to available housing options. Theory suggest housing is broken down into three dimensions: dwelling, neighborhood, and personal. Each dimension is examined, then an overall satisfaction if determined based upon individual households\u27 needs and desires. The specific needs and desires of housing satisfaction of low socioeconomic-status, singleparent mothers is examined and how it is addressed in specific housing alternatives is evaluated. The limitations of the market forces are taken into consideration with an overall view of the housing market. In response, housing policies are considered. A gap between the policymakers and those who are recipients of the policy is suggested. A descriptive analysis of housing satisfaction that employs such an appropriate specification is estimated for various strata of a 1995 sample of Wooster, Ohio residents through the use of questionnaires. Further data was collected through housing authorities in the Wooster area by interviews. Results provide support for the theory; Policy options conformed to conventional forms neglecting the ideas of a multivariate, multilevel analysis of housing satisfaction. This study opens up questions for further empirical work in the field. The following framework will guide one to an understanding that collective housing can provide a form of affordable housing that is more sensitive to the housing satisfaction of low socioeconomic-status, single-parent mothers