Housing TodayCurrently, I live with my parents and in on-campus housing. Due to my personal situation, this arrangement makes the most sense given my current financial situation, as I earn little income from taking classes. During the school year (September-December and February-May), I live in accommodation on the campus of eUniversité Sainte-Catherine. In particular, I live in Stanton Hall, which costs $2,500 per semester with amenities included (St Catherine University, nda). This living situation is the most realistic circumstance, as on-campus housing is affordable and has a flat rate per year, without long-term binding contracts that may be associated with general rental housing. Outside of the school year, I chose to live with my parents in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Since I have few resources to support myself financially, my most reasonable option is to use the only free options I have for housing, which is to live at home. Fortunately, the combination of these two housing options allows me to avoid many of the common problems associated with alternative forms of living, particularly home ownership and off-campus housing. I'm fortunate right now to not have to worry about government policies and policies that create barriers to affordable housing, especially rental housing. However, the most significant problem with rental housing is the rising cost of rent (Schwartz, 2010). For many populations, the cost of renting a home represents a significant portion of their annual income, making savings and monetary flexibility almost impossible. In some cases, this expense represents up to 30% of income (Downs, 2008). It is also significant that one of the populations that most commonly uses...... middle of paper ......m=10&StateID=29&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False[408 2nd Avenue Outside]. Retrieved April 20, 2014 from: http://www.cbburnet.com/property/details/2137976/MLS-4467073/408-2nd-Avenue-NW-Buffalo-MN-55313.aspx?SearchID=9955259&RowNum=10&StateID=29&RegionID =0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False[Salon du 408, 2e Avenue]. Retrieved April 20, 2014 from: http://www.cbburnet.com/property/details/2137976/MLS-4467073/408-2nd-Avenue-NW-Buffalo-MN-55313.aspx?SearchID=9955259&RowNum=10&StateID=29&RegionID =0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False[625 Cleveland Avenue]. Accessed April 20, 2014 at: http://www.trulia.com/rental-community/9000059424/625-Cleveland-Avenue-South-625-Cleveland-Ave-S-Saint-Paul-MN-55116/[3653 21e Avenue S.]. Retrieved April 20, 2014 from: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3653-21St-Ave-S_St-Cloud_MN_56301_M83281-42482?row=5