Micro Renting: Quality low income housing or just more gentrification?

      Twenty to thirty year old's are malleable, spending their energy discovering their talents and making connections laying out the foundations of their lives. Cities draw an individual willing to adapt to get ahead, and live their life they way they desire, they draw so many of these individuals that they become overcrowded and expensive. The latest trend to combat the cost of living are these "micro-units" which often have between 300 to 500 square feet and run from $500-600 per month. Often these units are within buildings which include communal amenities to offset the lack of personal living space. Customers drawn to these spaces typically spend a small amount of time within the home, they feel that this is a great alternative to save money and maintain their lifestyle. While $1,500 for a nearly larger one-bedroom is not a very attractive option either, this newest trend may just be another factor to contribute to the already prevalent overcrowding issue in large cities. Large buildings packed with 60+ micro-units can lead to tenement conditions, when landlord's looking to maximize profitability allow their buildings to fall into disrepair.
      Others speak to the effectiveness of cutting housing costs and the need for low income housing. In many cities the poor are being pushed out due to these wealthy young professionals who migrate to the area for it's cultural benefits, but ultimately rise the cost of living as they draw businesses which target their market. Many low income families who are in need in these areas are those with children, are such low square footage homes really going to provide for children? Is the rise of micro-renting just furthering the agenda of gentrification? Low income housing is a priority for cities. People who need the most help with the cost of living are not young professionals they are the hard working lower to middle class families. Ideas would be more beneficial if they were centered around providing for the needs of those who are struggling most rather than attempting to draw more young people to profit from.

 Sources:

http://bit.ly/1bgOimT

http://on.wsj.com/1l1aGpT
http://bit.ly/18DTA0O