MEDIATING STRUCTURES AND CONGREGATE HOUSING PROGRAMS: AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT SPONSORING AGENCIES (MARYLAND)

This dissertation examines the impact that non-profit sponsoring organizations, acting as managers have on eldely residents at congregate housing programs. The impact is measured in terms of residents' levels of satisfaction with services, personnel, housing design and their overall satisfaction. The non-profit sponsors are compared to government agency sponsors. The research evaluates the public policy initiatives based on mediating structures theory, in the context of public choice assumptions. The research was conducted in Montgomery County, Maryland and included residents from ten congregate housing programs. The sample involved 188 residents who were interviewed concerning their attitudes toward the program. The results indicate that mediating structures have a positive impact on residents in the area of personnel. With services, housing design, and overall satisfaction, there were no significant differences between the responses of residents living in programs sponsored by government agencies or mediating structures. This latter result may reflect the effect of allowing the residents to select the program and services which they considered to best match their needs.