Event Title
A Study on the Housing Experiences of Somali Immigrants in Mankato
Location
CSU
Student's Major
Urban and Regional Studies
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Janet Cherrington-Cucore
Mentor's Department
Urban and Regional Studies
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
This research focuses on the difficulties faced by Mankato's Somalia people during the process of settling and assimilating in a new society, as well as their housing and employment preferences. Most of the Somali population does not own a home; nor do they feel confident about buying a home. Institutional personnel in Blue Earth County offices were interviewed. Some stated that the Somali people prefer to live in apartments rather than independently-owned housing; the primary reason was Somali's prefer not to do lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and other kinds of residential maintenance work. Language is a great assimilation barrier, and most of the adults attend ESL courses. The majority of Mankato's Somali immigrants live on welfare benefits. Those who are getting housing assistance are content with their present domiciles. However, those who are on housing waiting lists find it difficult to pay rent. Most of the Somalia people interviewed indicated that they prefer to live in the urban areas, and none were willing to purchase a home. Because of religious beliefs, Somali's are unwilling to pay the interest on a loan. Finally, they reported that only when they secured a permanent job would they consider purchasing a house or an apartment-type unit.
A Study on the Housing Experiences of Somali Immigrants in Mankato
CSU
This research focuses on the difficulties faced by Mankato's Somalia people during the process of settling and assimilating in a new society, as well as their housing and employment preferences. Most of the Somali population does not own a home; nor do they feel confident about buying a home. Institutional personnel in Blue Earth County offices were interviewed. Some stated that the Somali people prefer to live in apartments rather than independently-owned housing; the primary reason was Somali's prefer not to do lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and other kinds of residential maintenance work. Language is a great assimilation barrier, and most of the adults attend ESL courses. The majority of Mankato's Somali immigrants live on welfare benefits. Those who are getting housing assistance are content with their present domiciles. However, those who are on housing waiting lists find it difficult to pay rent. Most of the Somalia people interviewed indicated that they prefer to live in the urban areas, and none were willing to purchase a home. Because of religious beliefs, Somali's are unwilling to pay the interest on a loan. Finally, they reported that only when they secured a permanent job would they consider purchasing a house or an apartment-type unit.
