Exploring Tenant Experiences and Literacy: Developing a Comprehensive Survey for Low-Income Renters

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Applications of Participartory Action Methods in Education Research: Literacy, Needs Assessment, Intergenerational Dynamics, and School Mental Health (Table 7)

Abstract

The U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development reports that approximately 1.7 million renter households experience inadequate living conditions, with many renters unaware of their tenant rights. Grounded in Participatory Action Research and Critical Race Theory, the project emphasizes community input into survey development regarding tenant housing experiences and literacy. The project aims to extend existing tools that capture tenant experiences, guided by key research questions about effective measurement factors. Employing methodologies inclusive of literature review, surveys, and statistical analysis, the proposal draws from tenant rights workshops and cognitive interviews. This comprehensive approach aims to create a versatile survey tool, contributing to tenant literacy and housing policy, offering significant insights into the lived experiences of low-income renters.

Author

• Vandeka J. Rodgers, University of Delaware