Bread and roses, shelter and community : psychological sense of community for single mothers in housing

Abstract

The relationship between empowerment and sense of community was explored by investigating how they are related to the degree of self-management and problem-solving available in different forms of housing. One hundred and one single mothers from public housing, co-op housing, and private rental units completed the Sense of Community Index (SCI) the Personal Power (PP) Scale, and the Masculinity Scale of the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Analysis of covariance indicated sense of community was significantly higher for co-op residents even when education levels, age, income, length of residency, expected length of residency and level of participation in neighbourhood organizations were controlled statistically. Implications for development of housing forms that facilitate sense of community are discussed.