Public relations students open door to stable housing

February 10, 2015

A group of UF students have come together to promote the importance of affordable, stable homes.

The campaign, “Image… A Place Called Home!”, aims to communicate that our homes affect health, success, safety and the economy.

Students are competing in The Bateman Case Study Competition, a national competition sponsored by the Public Relations Student Society of America that allows students to create a full public relations campaign.

The UF Bateman team’s client, Home Matters, is a movement that strives to bring national attention to the need for affordable homes in America. The movement claims that fundamental social challenges in our nation are all connected back to an individual’s home.

To achieve an affordable and stable home, the UF Bateman team campaign is proposing Gainesville residents to spend 30 percent or less of their income on housing to leave resources for basic needs such as health care and education. Lowering spending on housing can stimulate the local economy by allowing people to have extra money to spend on businesses.

“It’s a fundamental element of success and prosperity in our community,” said Elliot Levy, Bateman team member and public relations senior.

Speeches and workshops will be held throughout the Gainesville community, including the UF campus, to discuss budgeting, housing challenges and future planning.

The public can visit the campaign’s Imagination Station at the North Lawn to tour a shipping container home and to learn more about the benefits of a stable home.

The UF Bateman team aspires to repeat the success of last year’s team, which scored first place in the 2014 competition.

“We’ve had a ton of success in the competition and we are hoping that it’s going to continue with this campaign,” Levy said.

For more information on upcoming events, please visit HomeImagined.com.