Residents' Sense Of Control And Ownership In A Mutual Housing Association

ABSTRACT: This paper presents results from a survey of residents of a self‐managed mutual housing association for older people. Specifically, it explores the relationship between residents' actual level of participation in the management and ownership of low income housing and their perceptions of control and ownership over their living environment. The model of mutual housing studied here appears to contribute to overall high levels of perceived control over decision making and moderately strong feelings of ownership. However, results suggest that these experiences are influenced by a number of factors in addition to direct participation. In particular, the quality of relations with resident leaders, satisfaction with the social and physical environment, and gender differences all significantly affect perceptions of control and ownership. This analysis suggests that researchers, policy makers, and program administrators must pay careful attention to the influence of social dynamics in a residential community and overall housing quality when evaluating the effectiveness of resident‐controlled housing programs.