The major purpose of this study was to determine the factors which affect elderly individuals' innovativeness toward housing and factors which affect the acceptance of nontraditional housing type(s) by elderly individuals. The study analyzed data from the Southern Regional Research Project, 5-194, "Barriers and Incentives to Affordable Housing." The sample consisted of 1,878 respondents over age 55 who resided in 28 communities in seven southern states. A conceptual study framework was proposed to show the variables and relationships among the variables involved in this study and to test hypotheses. A theory of "diffusion of innovations" developed by Rogers (1983) was used as the theoretical background for this study. Two knowledge continuum indices of Weber, McCray, and Claypool (1985), based on the adoption process of Rogers (1983), were used to measure acceptance of nontraditional housing types: mobile homes, apartments or townhouses, solar houses, earth-sheltered houses, or a combination of these four housing types. / Ph. D.

The main purpose of this study was to assess the impact of housing actors’ housing knowledge and involvement, perceptions of community Situations influencing housing, support for housing programs, and demographic characteristics on their receptiveness to housing policy initiatives. Perceptions of housing policy initiatives relative to funding for housing assistance and support for land use controls also were examined. The study analyzed data from the Southern Regional Research Project, S-194, "Barriers and Incentives to Affordable Housing." Responses from 786 housing actors living and/or working in 28 communities in seven southern states were analyzed. A conceptual model was proposed to test the hypothesized relationships. Relationships were examined by multiple regression. Two hypotheses were tested as dictated by the conceptual model. One hypothesis stated that housing actors’ receptiveness to housing policy initiatives relative to funding for housing assistance was not a function of housing knowledge, perceptions, support and personal demographic characteristics. The first regression equation explained 45% of the variability in housing actors’ receptiveness to funding for housing assistance. The four variables, housing discrimination towards groups with special needs, support of loans and grants for housing and community development, rental assistance, and homeowner assistance, entered the equation. The second hypothesis stated that housing actors’ receptiveness to housing policy initiatives relative to support for land use controls was not a function of housing knowledge, perceptions, support and personal demographic characteristics. The second regression equation explained only 14% of the variability in housing actors’ receptiveness to support for land use controls. Housing discrimination towards groups with special needs, demand for manufactured housing, support of loans and grants for homeowner assistance, and rental assistance were the contributing variables in the second model. Based on these analyses, the results suggest that the models tested should be revised. / Ph. D.