Voters are eager for Congress to act on housing affordability, according to a new national survey by the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Nearly 4 in 5 voters, 79%, say the cost of housing is extremely or very important to them.
Voters on both sides of the aisle, 83%, agree that Congress should take action on the issue, including 54% who strongly agree, according to the recent survey.
The poll was conducted at the end of April as Congress weighs the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a sweeping bill that seeks to boost the nation’s housing supply and improve affordability.
According to the survey, 89% of voters say the House and Senate need to work together to pass a plan to make housing more affordable. In addition, 63% say they would be more likely to vote for their representative or senator if they help pass legislation to build more affordable homes and lower housing costs.
Solid majorities agree with four primary goals for building more affordable homes and lowering housing costs:
- 76% support streamlining federal regulations to reduce costs and delays;
- 77% support reforming rental assistance and other housing programs;
- 65% support incentivizing state and local governments to change zoning and land-use policies; and
- 84% support expanding access to affordable home financing.
A key section of the recent legislation that has gained attention would prohibit large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. In addition, housing organizations are objecting to a provision that would force large investors to sell build-to-rent (BTR) homes after seven years, which they say will dismantle an important housing sector.
The survey led by Advocus Partners reveals that 70% support a federal ban on large corporations and investors who own 350 or more single-family homes from buying more. Among those supporters, nearly a third, 31%, say they would be less supportive if the prohibition were to reduce the supply of homes available for rent, but over a third, 37%, would be more supportive.