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Single Women Housing Study
Single Women Housing Research Project
As of the 2000 census, people living alone became the most common household type nationwide, and in the city of Portland 40% of households consisted of one person living alone. Almost 60% of those living alone are women. Simultaneously, high numbers of unmarried women buying homes made it into the national news, and locally the Portland YWCA closed, displacing dozens of women from their housing. This series of events led to the idea for a qualitative study to better understand the emerging demographic of women living alone and their housing needs.
A generous grant from the Maine Community Foundation made this study possible.
The primary research questions are:
What factors lead women to live alone?
Does the current housing stock meet their needs?
What are their feelings around privacy, shared spaces, and ownership?
What types of housing might best suit their needs and desires?
The study will interview 30 women living alone or with housemates. All women interviewed be Portland residents, aged 25-64, with range of incomes, educational levels, both renters & owners, with particular focus on those with 30-80% of median income (about $15,000-$40,000/year). After the interviews are completed, 8-10 of these women who have some similar interests will be pulled together into a focus group to brainstorm living situations for their demographic. An intern will be hired to help design and place ads, screen and schedule interviews, type notes during coffee dates, and to help organize and code notes. The project will be completed by the end of August 2009.
The findings will be presented the committee determining how to spend the county’s Federal HOME funds, and also to a group of non-profit housing developers, the Maine Women’s Fund, Portland Community Development Staff, and other interested parties.
Program Staff
Elizabeth Trice, Grants & Special Projects Coordinator |
Joshua Merrill, |
