Family Identity

Authors: Troy Anthony Anderson - Michael Elonge

This fact sheet examines the relationship between housing needs and the family life cycle, highlighting housing as a critical factor in family well-being and social stability. As families move through life stages - from childbearing years to retirement - their housing needs evolve, requiring flexible and affordable living options. Rising housing costs, inflation, and income inequality create significant financial barriers for many households, making it increasingly difficult to secure stable housing. Challenges such as saving for down payments, navigating mortgage rates, and managing property taxes further complicate the path to homeownership. The article also discusses homelessness in Maryland, noting that a shortage of affordable housing contributes significantly to the issue. Strategies for families include financial planning, utilizing housing assistance programs, and exploring alternative housing arrangements. Ultimately, the authors call for a comprehensive, multi-sector approach that combines program support, financial education, and community resources to ensure families have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Authors: Troy Anthony Anderson & Michael Elonge; Title: The Financial Implications of Housing Needs on the Family Life Cycle (FS-2025-0776).

Authors: Amanda Ginter - Mili Duggal

Clickers are a relatively new technology, particularly within the realm of Cooperative Extension, community groups and university classrooms. Officially known as “audience response systems,” these handheld devices are linked to Turning Point software that allows an audience to “click” an answer to a particular question. All participants’ answers are displayed on the screen for everyone to view. Beyond the advantage of audience viewing and anonymous polling, this technique preserves the responses as research data for analysis with additional software.