Martin Housing Authority Makes International Impression

Japanese Students Seek Housing and Community Development Advice

Martin Housing Authority hosts Japanese Students on tour of area

On September 4, 2008, Brian Harris, Executive Director, Martin Housing Authority, had a unique opportunity to speak to 13 students from Japan who visited the University of Tennessee at Martin campus to learn more about American culture. The specific concentration of their study is to learn about the American housing industry, economics and regional development. Japan has unusual housing challenges with a growing population and limited government programs to meet the needs of the less fortunate.

The students heard a history of public and assisted housing options within the U.S. and then toured Martin Housing Authority's housing stock along with other affordable housing options within the city.

Students are expected to take what they have learned during their two week stay in the United States and share the information with University officials in Japan. It is clear that Martin Housing Authority will have made an impression about government housing on these students.

Japan housing typically is valued by the number of rooms it has...not the number of bedrooms. Rooms within a dwelling have multi-purposes. For example, a dining room may also be used as a bedroom. Because of the growing population and limited land, they must maximize the use of space.

Another interesting fact is that homeownership rates are much less in Japan than in the U.S. Of the 13 students only two of them lived in homes that were owned by their family.

The visit with the students provided an opportunity to put things into perspective. While some U.S. citizens consider public housing a last resort option, students shared that the public housing they toured was equal to or better than housing offered to moderately wealthy families in Japan. It reinforces the mission of Martin Housing Authority to be a leader in providing affordable housing option at the highest quality possible.

Martin Housing Authority recognizes the importance of making an impression overseas. But, it's much more important to positively impact our own community. It is our privilege to serve the entire Weakley County community.