Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Capturing Environmental Affordances: Low-Income Families Identify Positive Characteristics Of A Hotel Housing Solution, Terri Lewinson

Terri Lewinson

This qualitative study describes the positive characteristics of an extended-stay hotel as identified by low-income families that resided there. Interviews were conducted with ten hotel residents using a semi-structured interview guide and participant photographs to elicit a deeper understanding of experiencing home at a hotel. Framed in the theoretical perspective of environmental affordances, findings suggest that despite discomforts of the hotel environment, residents were still able to enjoy family independence, social engagement, a sense of safety and connection to a community context. The findings of this study may help practitioners gain a balanced perspective of non-ideal housing conditions for planning …