Young Persons’ Housing Consciousness Clusters and At-Home Activities : Reflecting COVID-19 Situation

This study explored characteristics and at-home activities of young persons by housing consciousness clusters in relationship with COVID-19 situation. During January 2021, an on-line questionnaire survey was conducted and this study analyzed responses from 600 young persons (age 20-39 years) using factor analyses, cluster analyses, F-tests and chi-square tests of independence. Major findings were as follow. (1) Among 31 housing consciousness items, 29 items were grouped into four housing consciousness factors (Finance/Functionality Factor, Amenity/Convenience Factor, Simple Residence Factor, Symbol Factor). (2) Using the factors, respondents were grouped into four housing consciousness clusters (Practicality Cluster, Asset Value Cluster, Best-Home Cluster, Minimal Cluster). (3) Respondents showed significantly different socio-demographic and housing characteristics, current at-home activities, changes in the at-home activities after an outbreak of COVID-19 by clusters. Especially, respondents in Best-Home Clusters and those in Minimal Cluster showed a stark contrasts in housing consciousness and at-home activities. (4) Regardless of housing consciousness clusters, at-home activities related to direct and indirect interaction or contact with others showed a greatest decrease after an outbreak of COVID-19. In Conclusion, findings of this study implied that housing consciousness of young persons varied and both the housing consciousness and COVID-19 had influences on their at-home activities.