Changes in Housing Behaviors of Young Single Person Households by COVID-19

Abstract

With the aim of identifying changes in the housing behavior of young single-person households before and after the outbreak of COVID-19, this study analyzed 133 Internet articles published from January to December before the COVID-19 crisis for a comparison with preceding studies on the housing behavior of young single-person households after the pandemic began. In addition, in order to closely examine the actual behavior changes in young households in connection with the results of the article analysis, interviews were conducted with 10 young single-person households on the changes in their housing behavior before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. The article analysis led to the observation that more articles about hobby and home decoration were published after the crisis. The interview results show, consistent with the article analysis results, an increasing trend of hobby activities, along with a marked increase in activities related to telecommuting, online classes and eating (specifically in relation to delivery meals). The results of this study provide a glimpse of the changes in the housing behavior of young single-person households before and after the pandemic, and are expected to be used as basic data for planning youth housing suitable for the post-corona era.