The place where we live and work is a reflection of a complex set of economic conditions and social relationships. Very little information is available regarding housing for Minnesota's migrant workers. It is estimated that approximately 20,000 people migrate to Minnesota each summer to work in the production and processing of green peas and sweet corn. Obtaining adequate, affordable short-term housing for these workers and dependents accompanying them is a challenge. Many migrants end up living in over-crowded, substandard conditions that place financial burdens on their limited incomes. Using secondary sources, including a survey of 282 migrant workers, government documents, and media reports, this study provides a review of migrant workers' housing in four Minnesota counties where vegetable production and processing occur. The findings are then examined using Mitchell's Labor Theory of Landscape providing a potential explanation of the context and meaning of these housing conditions.

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Worldwide the number of people over age of 60 years is rapidly increasing. Many communities are challenged to make their communities more walkable and age friendly. Addressing the trend, this study investigated two major metropolitan regions' policies regarding livability and examined how two case study housing sites practiced walkability for seniors in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area in Minnesota, the United States, and the Vancouver Metropolitan Area in British Columbia, Canada. Analyses show that in the Canadian case, the policy was explicitly age-friendly requiring senior citizen's involvement and proximity to places for seniors' activities in planning activities and implementation. In contrast, the US case focused on transit-oriented development and did not specifically require age-friendly practices. Walkability of a specific multifamily housing site in each case was evaluated to identify the impacts of the livable communities legislation. Analyses of the site evaluations found substantial differences in available destinations that encourage walking among seniors. The conclusion provides suggestions for ways that cities and their urban regions can be made more sustainable and livable as the number of elderly residents increases over time.

Many Americans believe that small rural communities are ideal places to live. They assume that small rural communities offer a safe environment, a supportive community, and affordable housing. In contrast, research indicates that rural households are more likely to live in unsuitable or inadequate housing and have lower incomes, making affordable housing difficult to obtain. Although there are data highlighting regional or urban‐rural differences, very little research has been conducted on the housing situation among small rural communities. The research presented here explores housing availability and affordability in 589 Midwestern communities. Findings indicate that, based on the community's growth and location, there are significant quantitative housing affordability and availability differences among small communities. However, these differences were contradicted by focus group discussions that indicated key similarities of housing concerns across small communities. The findings have potential impacts for public policy implementation in small communities.