Interview 07: Michelle
August 21, 2020
Stress self-rating: 5     
1 = no stress, 5 = extremely stressed

Participant
Female
Renter
Lost healthcare job in pandemic
House Type
Single storey apartment
in large complex
Approx. 950 sf
3 Bed + 1 Bath
Built 1930s, Brick
Household Size:    4
3 Children                
1 Adults                     
Persons Per Room  1.00
Summary

Michelle moved into a ground floor apartment unit by the freeway with her three high-school aged children in December, 3 months before Houston’s stay-at-home order. During the pandemic, Michelle lost her medical care job. She and two of her three kids sleep on living room sofas at night, because the bedrooms are too hot in summer or too cold in winter. This environmental stress is caused by malfunctioning AC units, which have not been repaired through the pandemic. The entire family’s activities, condensed to the living room where the working AC unit is installed, have led to high stress and conflicts in the home. Her family only has one computer and cell-phone, causing difficulties studying from home. Without home internet access, Michelle’s kids used her cell-phone as a hotspot for schooling, which used up mobile data. Since the parks closed due to COVID, she spends more time outside in her large ADA-compliant patio, particularly when she has company. 