Working with the MU Truman School of Public Affairs, the City of Columbia recently distributed a survey to assess rental property information in Columbia.

“This project is in fulfillment of our capstone for our master’s degree,” Lelande Rehard, a student working on the project, said in an email. “The Truman School partners with state and local governments and organizations by asking for proposals for projects that these organizations want done. Students pick projects they are interested in, are assigned to a small group and then work with that organization.”

Columbia Neighborhood Services manager Leigh Britt touched on what the city hoped to find.

“We hope to find out more about the factors that play into the decision on where to rent and specifically find out if utility costs and energy efficiency are a consideration,” Britt said in an email. “We also want to learn more about research tenants might do in advance and how we can provide information to them.”

The city hopes to use this information to increase consumer demand for energy-efficient properties and connect renters to information regarding energy efficiency, Rehard said.

The city is distributing the survey through email lists in the community and at MU.

They will be collecting data during March and will analyze the data in April, Rehard said.