Eunsil Lee

Housing Satisfaction and Quality of Life Among Temporary residents in the United States

Abstract This study examined the factors that affect satisfaction with housing and quality of life among Korean temporary residents in the U.S. The proposed model was tested with a sample of 235 Koreans in the Lansing area of Michigan in the U.S. Findings indicated that housing significantly contributes to temporary residents’ quality of life. The results also revealed that housing satisfaction was not only a strong predictor of quality of life but also the most significant mediator for resident characteristics, housing perception, and neighborhood perception. Resident characteristics, including demographic and socioeconomic conditions, indirectly predicted quality of life in relation to perceptions of and satisfaction with housing.

LEED for Homes Rating System and Resident Satisfaction with LEED-Certified Homes - Focusing on the US Cases -

The major purposes of this study were to analyze main features of US Green Building Council`s LEED for Homes rating system and examine residents` satisfaction on their LEED-certified homes and neighborhoods. The first part of this article shows the structure and features of the LEED for Homes rating system and the process to obtain credits of this rating system. The investigation to assess residents` satisfaction targeted LEED certified home residents in Midwest in the United State. The satisfaction was assessed in relation to socio-demographic and housing characteristics. To collect data, a quantitative survey was administered to the residents of LEED-certified homes in Midwest in the US. A total of 605 surveys was sent out and 235 were collected, yielding a 38.8% response rate. Findings revealed that LEED-certified home residents were highly satisfied with their homes and neighborhood although neighborhood satisfaction was lower than housing satisfaction. Residents` income and education were the significant socio-demographic factors that show significant relationships with housing satisfaction. Residents` home ownership, length of residence, housing types were significant housing characteristics on their satisfaction while the levels of LEED certifications (i.e., certified, silver, gold, and platinum) were not significantly related to housing satisfaction. The findings of this study suggest the importance of developing effective strategies for those who are less educated, lower income classes, renters, or multi-attached housing residents for more successful development of LEED-certified homes in the future.

Influence of New Urbanist Design Features on Sense of Community: The Case of Cherry Hill Village in Canton, Michigan

Abstract This study explored the influence of new urbanist design features on sense of community (SOC) in a new urbanist community in Michigan as a case study. Using a quantitative survey method, online surveys were utilized to procure data. A total of 136 surveys were collected and analyzed using multiple regression, one-way ANOVA and independent-sample t-test analyses. The variables investigated within this study were derived from the theoretical foundations and previous empirical studies of New Urbanism and SOC, include architectural and community design features, walkability, and socio-demographic variables. Utilizing Skjaeveland, Garling, and Maeland’s (1996) 14-item “Multidimensional Measure of Neighboring” to conceptualize SOC, the findings indicated that specific design features, as well as walkability and some socio-demographic characteristics, had a significant effect on SOC. In light of the increasing popularity of new urbanist developments, this study suggests the importance of physical design features in promoting SOC and gives guidelines for future residential and neighborhood design that enforce a SOC.

Exploring the Impact of Housing Deficits on Housing Satisfaction for Temporary Korean Migrants

Abstract This study expands the application of the Morris and Winter (1978) housing adjustment theory to study housing satisfaction of a temporary migrant population. The proposed empirical model hypothesized the effects of household characteristics and housing deficits on housing satisfaction. The model was tested with a sample of 225 Korean temporary migrants in the U.S. Findings indicated that housing deficits were significant mediators between household characteristics and housing satisfaction. The results also revealed that the quality deficit and neighborhood deficit predicted housing satisfaction most strongly, suggesting that the physical quality of housing and neighborhood conditions are crucial to the housing satisfaction of temporary migrants. In this study, unlike previous ones, when housing deficits were controlled, most of the demographic household characteristics did not predict housing satisfaction.