Housing Satisfaction of Asian and Pacific Island Elders in the United States

Abstract

This study examined housing satisfaction of Asian and Pacific Island elders, focusing on demographic, housing, and neighborhood characteristics. The research framework was based on the housing adjustment theory (Morris & Winter, 1975, 1978). The sample was Asian and Pacific Island households with a head aged 65 years and over responding to the American Housing Survey (AHS) from 1995 through 2007 (N = 1,039). Asian and Pacific Island elders included long-time U.S. residents as well as recent immigrants. Multiple statistical methods included: descriptive statistics, one-way Analysis of Variance, multiple regression, and simple regression. Overall, housing satisfaction tended to be high. Variables that influenced satisfaction included education, family income, Census region, household size, housing quality, structure size, and neighborhood rating. Those having more education or higher income were more likely to express higher satisfaction, but those having larger household sizes tended to have lower satisfaction. Those living in the Northeast had lower housing satisfaction than those living in the West. Respondents having more adequate housing and larger structure sizes were likely to express higher housing satisfaction levels. Neighborhood rating had a positive relationship with housing satisfaction. Data analyses with the secondary datasets can assist housing researchers, educators, nonprofit organizations, or policymakers in their future studies or development of policies.