(Objective 1: Identify what they want and need in a rental unit.)
Suggested Introduction: Before you start your search, you need to determine which features are must-haves and which are conveniences you can live without. Keep in mind that you may need to make some concessions to stay within your budget.
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Distribute Handout 1: My Housing Needs. Ask each group to rank items by importance. In pairs compare responses. Each group can then share one item they identified as “Very Important” or “Moderately Important” and repeat this process until all the items on the needs column are listed on a flip chart.
Following completion of this task, facilitate a group discussion. Here are some questions for starting the discussion:
- How did ranking importance of items help you focus on what is important to you?
- After listening to the other groups, which items would you move up on your list?
- How will the choices you make affect where and how you look for a rental unit?
OPTIONAL: If there is access to internet in the room where this module is being taught, ask participants to suggest the amount of rent they are willing and able to pay per month. You can google “Apartments Available in (name of community) for $(insert amount here) per month.” Many rental properties can be viewed on-line so participants can get a sense of what is available in their price range.
