Future Start

What do you want to do?

Housing

Welcome to the housing section. All the information and workshops in this section was researched and developed by Dylan Robar, Katelyn Knickle and Tyler Kaizer. Brittany Slauenwhite assisted with acting in the video, which was created by Lighthouse Now Media.

The following lesson plan and all the materials can be downloaded for printing and sharing. Please credit HeartWood Centre for Community Youth Development and the Lunenburg District Office of Community Services, Nova Scotia when using the materials. If you use these materials please let us know so we can track where they are being used. If you have any suggestions for changes please let us know.

Future Start Lesson Plan: Housing Hunters Inc.

Created by Katelyn Knickle, Dylan Robar and Tyler Kaizer

Session Topic: Finding Housing

Objectives:

  • To learn how to look for housing
  • To learn some tips to help find and secure housing

Approximate time:

  • 45 minutes

Materials, props or technology; room set up

  • LCD projector, lap top, to show video from website
  • Flip chart or white board with reflection questions written up
  • Post-it notes and markers
  • Scenario cards and apartment advertising cards (print off website)
  • Object to pass around the circle
  • Brochure (print off website)
  • Print off scripts, see below #8 Optional Role Play

Room set up

  • Chairs in a semi-circle with screen and projector set up, table with scenario cards and advertisements already set up
  • Flip chart or white board

Workshop Details and Script

1. Introduction: Introduce yourself, welcome group, invite them to introduce themselves

2. Summary of the session: Facilitator: We are going to have a 45-minute session to give you some tips to finding and keeping an apartment, as well as give you an experience on what it might feel like to look for an apartment in a certain scenario.

3. Introduce the video: We are going to show you a three-minute video of a renter looking at an apartment to rent. We want you to notice what the renter and landlord each do. Notice what they do incorrectly and what they could have done better.

Play video and stop at “Lets Have a Chat”

4. Reflection: Hand out post it notes and ask group to write down any reflections to these questions
(written on flip chart), participants don’t need to answer all the questions, these are here to prompt their thinking:

  • What did you notice?
  • What could the Housing Hunter have done better or differently?
  • What did the Housing Hunter not ask about?
  • What could the Landlord have done better or differently?

Participants post notes on flip chart/white board.

5. Group Discussion: Instructor reads post it notes and holds a discussion
Here are some suggestions if these don’t come up:
The Housing Hunter did not:

  • Ask if the appliances were included or if everything works properly
  • Ask if utilities were included
  • Ask if there was a lease
  • Dress or act professionally
  • Make eye contact
  • Bring a second person with them for support and a reference

Landlord did not:

  • Show the person around the space
  • Keep a clean and tidy apartment
  • Fix appliances and leaky taps
  • Make any helpful suggestions
  • Offer to discuss a lease

6. Return to video: Show rest of video, then ask: Do you have any other thoughts to add?

7. Housing Hunter Scenarios:

  • Each person will select a name card from table
  • On the back is their identity and an income scenario
  • Get into pairs and select an apartment for each person from the advertisements that is appropriate for the scenario they each have
  • Sit with your partner to discuss why you selected the apartment you selected
  • Share back to the group
  • Instructor debrief questions:
  • What did you have to keep in mind when looking for an apartment?
  • How did it feel if you had limited income trying to find a place?
  • How did you feel when you found a place that fit your needs?

8. Optional Role Play Activity: (see scripts for skits below)

Invite two participants to join in a role play. Explain that they will be given a script to read. They will read it through once. The second time they will read the script and freeze where indicated in each script. At this point an audience member can come in and pull out either character and change the situation to a positive outcome. Read entire script again but change the line that was last spoken before freeze and then improv the rest of the skit.

Skit 1:
A renter has a problem with an appliance and has brought this up previously but nothing has been fixed. The renter is trying to work through a solution but the superintendent is not helpful. They end up getting angry at each other. (See script at end)

Skit 2:
Another renter in the apartment building has complained to the superintendent about a party the night before. This is the next morning the superintendent goes to the noise apartment to talk about it. The renter is aggressive. (See script at end)

9. Brochure

  • Hand out brochure
  • Share website regarding tenant rights

10. Closing circle

  • What stood out for you from the activities? Pass around talking object and each person shares, they also have an option to pass.

Skit 1

 A renter has a problem with an appliance and has brought this up previously but nothing has been fixed. The renter is trying to work through a solution but the superintendent is not helpful. They end up getting angry at each other.

Renter: The oven doesn’t work. I’ve brought this up to you before.
Superintendent: It’s not my problem to fix, why’s everyone come to me to complain, I have other apartments to work on.
Renter: I brought this up about 2 months ago and you still haven’t fixed it.
Superintendent: (gets very angry) Well I know you have parties and you’re always complaining, I could kick you out!
Renter: (starts getting angry back) I haven’t complained about a thing and you’re getting angry, well this
apartment’s a dump! (second time freeze here)
Superintendent: If it’s such a dump go find another one

Skit 2

Another renter in the apartment building has complained to the superintendent about a party the night before. This is the next morning the superintendent goes to the noise apartment to talk about it. The renter is aggressive.

Superintendent: (Knocks on door) I have a few complaints from neighbours about the party last night and your loud music.
Renter: Yeah, so what?
Superintendent: (Being pleasant and nice) Well a lot of people were complaining, and it’s impacting the
apartment building.
Renter: Ain’t I allowed to party? Why do I have to have permission from you to party?
Superintendent: (Getting angry) Well, I’m the superintendent and I’m in charge of this building so you have to answer to me! (second time freeze here)
Renter: I don’t want your advice, get out of my apartment! Who makes you boss? You’re not the owner of the property! I pay rent! I don’t need your permission!

 

LessonPlanHH Nov18
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