Testing the Hypothesis, Part Two ~ Assignment Nine

Now we are discussing who would NOT be in the scope of needing affordable housing and I think the answer is pretty obvious... People who have their housing paid for by family/friends etc. would not need affordable housing. I am one of the lucky ones that my parents do pay for my housing. I am very fortunate. I conducted five interviews with people who have their housing paid for and they are written below. 

After interviewing five people I realized that a lot of people who have parents pay for their housing are so thankful and relieved to not have the stress of having to pay for their own place. Some of them said they would have to take out loans and the others stated they would have to get full-time jobs. Honestly, I asked myself some of the same questions that I asked other college students and my answers were very similar. The only thing that some of them didn't have was a choice of where they wanted to live but honestly, I would rather have my place paid for than have a choice and pay for my own. I know my parents would put me in a safe and adequate apartment. Thankfully I did have some sort of say in where I live. Everyone that I interviewed also liked where they live so most parents do have their kids interests in their heart! Most of them wouldn't change where they're living either!

Inside of the Boundary 

Who is in? ~ People who pay for their own housing or living at home

What the need is? ~ More affordable housing with better living conditions

Why the need exists? ~ College students have too much on their plates 

Outside of the Boundary

Who is out? ~ People who have their housing paid for by someone else
What the need is not? ~ More affordable housing with better living conditions
Alternative explanations ~ College students can focus just on school and not their bills


The interviews are below...

College Student ~ 20 years old... Parents pay for housing...

1. How do you feel about having your housing paid for?

Personally, I don't mind having my housing paid for. I have been fortunate enough to have parents who planned ahead and as a result, I have my housing as well as other things paid for. 

2. Did you have a say in where you wanted to live? Please explain.

My first year I had to live on campus housing but when I was able to move off campus, I had my parents come with me to look at apartments but I was able to choose where I wanted to end up.

3. How would you describe your current living conditions?

I think they are pretty good right now. Our apartment is really nice and we were able to get a balcony. It is a small place but I have my best friend from high school and another really close friend here. That is what makes the apartment home to me. 

4. If you didn't have your housing paid for, what would you do? 

If my housing wasn't paid for, I would probably take out loans. I also would have gotten a full time job in order to support myself. I wouldn't be able to take as many classes as I am now though.

5. Would you live differently than you do now? Please explain. 

I would definitely be living differently than I am now. I don't pay for anything since I have a school account. My apartment would probably be the same just because it was the most affordable than a lot of the expensive ones around us. We pay around $600 a month rather than other ones that are $900 and up. 

6. What would be your ideal living conditions if you could choose where you live? Please elaborate.

I would want a bigger apartment than I have now. I would love stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. I would also love to have a bigger bedroom, bathroom and a HUGE closet. 

College Student ~ 20 years old... Parents pays for housing...

1. How do you feel about having your housing paid for?

It relieves a lot of stress. Knowing my parents are taking care of it so I can focus on my school work and my part-time job really helps me mentally and financially.

2. Did you have a say in where you wanted to live? Please explain.

At first I didn't really have much of a say. I just knew it had to be cheap. After looking at multiple cheaper options and one more expensive option, my parents realized how much I loved the safety and community feel of the more expensive apartment complex. Then we all agreed that it was the best place for me. 

3. How would you describe your current living conditions?

They are pretty awesome. I live with 3 female roommates in a cottage style house and a gated community. I feel safe and comfortable where I am at. 

4. If you didn't have your housing paid for, what would you do? 

If it wasn't paid for, I would have to work full-time to afford a very cheap apartment. I'd definitely be struggling to balance work, college and a social life. 

5. Would you live differently than you do now? Please explain. 

Yes, definitely. I don't think that I would have much of a social life and I would have to become VERY good at budgeting my money. I wouldn't have the extra money that I do now for anything else other than living expenses. 

6. What would be your ideal living conditions if you could choose where you live? Please elaborate.

I already live in my ideal living condition. I am surrounded by friends and neighbors and I love how safe the community is. It's important to me while living so far away from my parents that I know I am safe and have familiar faces. Compared to the housing that I first looked at with my parents, I am in a much better spot!

College Student ~ 21 years old... Parents pay for housing... 

1. How do you feel about having your housing paid for?

I am very thankful to have my housing paid for. I am responsible for my utilities however not paying rent helps me out a lot financially.

2. Did you have a say in where you wanted to live? Please explain.

I only had a say in whether I lived on or off campus. I was given a budget and had to find a place that fit the budget and was close to campus.

3. How would you describe your current living conditions?

My current living conditions are great. I love my roommate and the apartment overall is really nice. The neighborhood is also very safe so I like it.

4. If you didn't have your housing paid for, what would you do? 

I would have to live on campus because it is cheaper. I would pay for on campus housing by applying for scholarships to housing instead of scholarships for tuition.

5. Would you live differently than you do now? Please explain. 

I would live differently because I would live on campus. However, living conditions would still be nice. It would just be a dorm instead of an apartment.

6. What would be your ideal living conditions if you could choose where you live? Please elaborate.

I am very satisfied with my apartment so if I had a choice, I would probably just choose the one I am in now. It is nice and it is close to campus which is the most important.

College Student ~ 19 years old... Parents pay for housing...

1. How do you feel about having your housing paid for?

I feel very grateful to have my housing paid for. I think it would be very difficult for me to balance school as well as a job.

2. Did you have a say in where you wanted to live? Please explain.

I did for the most part. I just had to be careful when it came to a price because my parents gave me a range.

3. How would you describe your current living conditions?

They are nice. I live in an apartment in a safe area.

4. If you didn't have your housing paid for, what would you do? 

I would have to learn how to manage a job as well as manage school work.

5. Would you live differently than you do now? Please explain. 

Yes because I would have to budget my money a lot more and that would be difficult.

6. What would be your ideal living conditions if you could choose where you live? Please elaborate.

I would love to live in a house rather than an apartment but I have high hopes for moving into a house in the near future!

College Student ~ 20 years old... Parents pay for housing...

1. How do you feel about having your housing paid for?

I feel very fortunate and blessed that my housing is paid for. Having this part of my college expenses paid for helps me be able to afford other things such as books, food, etc.

2. Did you have a say in where you wanted to live? Please explain.

I have a say to an extent. My parents prefer me to live on campus because they know I will be safe and all the services and utilities are included in each semesters payment. I am able to choose where I would like to live on campus. If I wanted to live off campus they would support it but since I enjoy living on campus, it works out.

3. How would you describe your current living conditions?

It isn't anything fancy but it has what I need and it is in a very convenient location.

4. If you didn't have your housing paid for, what would you do? 

If I had to pay for my housing myself, I would probably live off campus or go to a school that is close to home, live at home and commute.

5. Would you live differently than you do now? Please explain. 

I probably wouldn't live any differently than I do now because it is a nice place to live while in school. If I would change something it would be to not have community bathrooms.

6. What would be your ideal living conditions if you could choose where you live? Please elaborate.

My ideal living conditions would be to have a parking spot where I live, my own bedroom so I can have time by myself, my own bathroom and a living area where I can hangout with friends or other roommates. Oh and a functioning kitchen!