'Micro-apartments' linked to psychological problems, domestic violence and drug abuse – research

A housing shortage in New York has spurred a 'micro-apartment' development project - but experts warn that these tiny apartments may be linked to psychological issues for their tenants.

The backlash is in response to Mayor Michael Bloomberg's 2012 real estate competition to build a residence building of mico-units on East 27th Street, the Daily Mail reported, citing The Atlantic . The apartments would be between 250 and 370 square feet.

Dak Kopec, director of design of human health at Boston Architectural College said the micro-apartments 'can definitely be unhealthy for older people, say in their 30s or 40s, who face different stress factors that make tight living conditions a problem.'

Kopec added that crowding-related stress, like the type that may be caused from living in small apartments, can increase rates of domestic violence and substance abuse.

Another problem with micro-apartments, Kopec said, was that because of their compact design, residents have to rearrange living quarters all day long. He warned The Atlantic that residents might eventually stop arranging furniture, causing apartments to be even more crowded.

Kopec, along with Susan Saegert, a CUNY professor of environmental psychology, told The Atlantic that small apartments may be good for residents in early adulthood.
 

Saegert, however, has said that small apartments may have devastating long-term psychological effects.

“I've studied children in crowded apartments and low-income housing a lot,” Saegert told the website and “they can end up being withdrawn, and have trouble studying and concentrating.”

Micro-apartments also end up hitting renters' wallets hard. Saegert says they increase the amount of money per square foot that developers get on property investments, meaning renters may pay the same price for studios that they would have spent on larger spaces.