Introduction
As the cost of living continues to rise across the United States, students at the University of Maryland face increasing financial instability, particularly in securing housing. This crisis disproportionately impacts students of color due to long-standing structural inequities and limited financial support systems. This capstone project investigates the intersection of race and housing affordability at UMD and presents these findings in a short-form documentary. Through visual storytelling and firsthand student accounts, the project confronts a pressing issue and urges institutional stakeholders to reimagine what accessible and equitable student housing should look like.

Literature Review
Artistically, this documentary draws influence from films like The 13th by Ava DuVernay. This work uses interviews, motion graphics, and narrative arcs to humanize social justice issues while maintaining visual clarity and emotional depth. Inspired by this filmmaker's ability to merge advocacy and storytelling, this documentary applies similar methods like voiceovers layered with personal footage and statistical overlays to build an engaging narrative around housing inequality.

Scholarly sources provided essential evidence for the documentary’s thesis. The Matrix Student Housing National Report (2025) revealed that while national student rent growth is slowing, the average rent per bed rose to $911 in early 2025, with the University of Maryland surpassing that average at $1,326 (Matrix Report 3). Simultaneously, preleasing rates at UMD sit below national averages, reflecting a misalignment between cost and access. The University Housing Maryland Report (2023) echoes this by highlighting the limited availability of affordable on-campus housing. Additionally, The Diamondback reports note that students in College Park are spending more on rent than tuition, often forcing them into overcrowded, unsafe conditions or unstable arrangements (The Diamondback). These sources confirm the widening gap between student housing needs and institutional offerings, disproportionately affecting students of color.

Methods
To investigate this issue, a hybrid research method was used, combining literature review, interviews, and visual ethnography. Outreach was conducted through university resource networks, including the Fostering Terp Success program and the Student Crisis Fund, to identify student participants. Semi-structured interviews explored themes such as affordability and resilience, asking questions like: How has housing impacted your academic journey? What support systems have or haven’t helped you?

The documentary medium was chosen for its emotive power. CapCut was used for editing because of its advanced yet accessible features for layering text, transitions, and motion graphics. Canva supported the visual representation of statistical data, offering custom charts and dynamic infographics that were essential for clarity and audience engagement.

Audience & Impact
The primary audience includes UMD students, administrators, faculty, and local policymakers. This documentary will validate the lived experiences of students affected by housing insecurity and call on decision-makers to prioritize affordable student housing initiatives. It also appeals to scholars and advocates in housing, architecture, and equity work.

This project served as a bridge between academic research and artistic activism. It deepened the artist’s understanding of how data, design, and storytelling can intersect to confront real-world inequities. As a future architect and housing advocate, the artist intends to carry these insights forward into designing solutions that prioritize equity from the ground up.

References

Matrix Student Housing. National Student Housing Report. February 2025.
“Students Have Decried College Park Housing Costs. New Apartments Could Worsen the Issue.” The Diamondback, 10 Sept. 2021. www.dbknews.com/2021/09/10/housing-costs-college-park-affordability/.
University Housing Maryland Report. University of Maryland, 2023.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Leslie Herrera and Professor Jesse Saginor for their guidance and source recommendations. Gratitude is extended to peers who provided critical feedback, to the UMD students who shared their stories, and to faculty mentors who encouraged integrating creative expression with social impact.