Unit 1: The Need for Unit 1: The Need for HousingHousing

Factors that affect our Factors that affect our housing choiceshousing choices

Cultural Influences• What accounts for the vast differences in

types of housing around the world? • Culture- combination of beliefs, customs,

and ideas that a group of people have. • It includes: traditions, values, social

habits, art, religion, etc. • For example… In many Middle Eastern

homes there are 2 separate living rooms- 1 for the wife & children AND 1 for male visitors.

Cultural Influences• Examples: • In many Middle Eastern homes there are 2

separate living rooms- 1 for the wife & children AND 1 for male visitors.

• Also in Middle Eastern culture, their dining rooms have no furniture. Instead they sit on a rug in the floor.

Cultural Influences• Household- all the people who live together

in one home.• Size & makeup of households differ from

culture to culture.• Nuclear Family- consists of mom, dad, and

their children together. There are fewer nuclear families today than in the past.

• Extended Family- consists of other relatives in addition to parents & children.

• Single-Parent Family- one parent living with children.

Cultural Influences• Examples:• On the island of Sumatra, families build their

huts in one long rectangle connecting to one another. As many as 100 people, all related, may share a long rectangle house.

Cultural Influences• Different cultures have different attitudes

toward privacy as well. • Living in the city- anywhere in the world

provides less privacy than living outside the buzzing community.

• Fences & plants can easily be put in for privacy.

• Or you could always buy your own island…

Cultural Influences• Status- a person’s job, income, and social

position. • Size, location, design, and furnishings all can

be symbols of status.• Building Materials- what can you afford to

buy?

VS

Cultural Influences• Types of rooms in your home and number of

rooms are a reflection of status.

Cultural Influences• In many cultures, the quantity of land

around a house is also a status symbol.

Societal Influences• Family structures and roles continue to

change.• In most families, both parents have to work

outside the home.• There are more single-parent families now. • Builders are now keeping these things in

mind as they are building new houses and renovating old ones.

• Adaptable designs are what most consumers want so that it is easy to change their home as their families needs change.

Societal Influences• Personal taste and interior fashions influence

housing choices.• Although styles and fads change, most

people seem to enjoy simplicity and comfort.

Societal Influences• Demographics- the statistical characteristics of

a population have a great impact on housing. • Information is used to gather data on people

today, as well as to predict the future trends. • The number of people in various age groups

will determine the types of housing built. • People age 65 and older (The Baby Boomers)

make up 20% of the total U.S. population, increasing the need for special housing that is adaptable for an older age group.

Societal Influences• Economic conditions affect people’s choice

of housing as well as the value of the home they are purchasing.

• Level of Interest Rates, Unemployment, Inflation, Cost of Living- all impact the housing market.

• What is the cost of the home? Can you afford to buy or do you need to rent?

• Most people spend 30-40% of their income on their house payment.

Societal Influences• We have become more environmentally

aware in recent years. • Before the 1900’s insulation in homes was

unheard of- no builder today would build a home without insulating.

• Materials that once cluttered landfills are now recycled and reused in various housing products.

• Solar panels are no longer odd- many homes have them.

Societal Influences• In the U.S. there is a lot of variety when it

comes to housing- city, suburbs, small towns, & farmland.

• Each year approximately 1 out of every 5 people in the U.S. moves.

• The average American will have 12-13 homes in their lifetime.

• People in their mid-20’s move more than any other age group.

Societal Influences• Today the home often serves double duty-

as home and office. • Many entrepreneurs start their businesses

from home. • Some careers allow you to telecommute-

keep in touch through telephone or online.

The Government’s Role• State & Local Government’s-

– Create plans for future growth of the area.

– What will be used for housing? Business & Industry?

– Determine locations of schools & parks.– Responsible for public

transportation.– Set codes for safety.

The Government’s Role• Federal Government Actions- the Great Depression

of the 1930’s left millions without adequate housing causing the U.S. Government to step in and help.

• Public Housing- built by the government, residence pay a percentage of their income as rent.

• Urban Renewal- run down urban areas are renovated and sold at a reasonable price.

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funding for rent assistance & group housing.

• They also provide funds to help the aging & disabled population to live on their own.

The Government’s Role• The Fair Housing Amendments Act protects

people with disabilities from unfair/ discriminatory housing practices.

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) bans discrimination against people with disabilities and requires that all people must be considered equally when it comes to new construction or renovations.– This means that builders must

take into account the needs of all Americans when designing or adapting commercial buildings.

The Government’s Role• In the course of 1 year in the U.S. it is estimated

that 3.5 million people experience homelessness.• Children account for 1/3 of all homeless people. • Homelessness is not

always related to not having a job. Studies have found that 1 out of 5 homeless people have a job.

• HUD along with other agencies provide funds for housing the homeless. This is typically done by renovating a building to be used as a shelter.

Partnerships for Housing• Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing

ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness around the world.

• It takes partnerships to build Habitat houses. They rely on volunteers.

• Bringing people with different skills together to work on a project.

AssignmentConsider all the people living in your home.

List the individuals and describe their lifestyle. Then describe their individual housing needs that would best fit their lifestyle. Don’t forget to include yourself!

For Example: Mom Lifestyle: Works from home, likes to exercise, enjoys cooking and reading.

Needs: Home office, workout area or room, nice kitchen, quiet reading area.