Voters Are Concerned About the Increasing Cost of Housing and Want Government Action
By Tenneth Fairclough II
The increasing cost of housing is a significant issue plaguing the entire country. Data for Progress conducted a survey of 1,344 likely voters nationally from August 4–6, 2022, to examine how voters are impacted by the increasing cost of housing, and whether voters would like to see federal government action taken to address the issue. We find that a plurality of voters are concerned about the issue — regardless of whether they own a home or rent — and a majority would like the federal government to step in and take action.
Voters’ Perception on How President Biden Can Help Ease the Increasing Cost of Housing
We asked voters whether they think President Biden should use his executive powers in order to address the crisis. A simple majority of likely voters (51 percent) believe President Biden should use his executive power to address the increasing cost of housing since this is a national crisis and it will provide immediate relief for people facing skyrocketing rents. Across partisanship, we find that more than three-quarters of Democrats (76 percent) and a plurality of Independents (46 percent) believe in this sentiment as well. For Republicans, we find that nearly a third (30 percent) share this belief, while close to two-thirds (60 percent) believe Biden should not use his executive power because it is not under his legal authority and should be left to Congress instead.
Among voters who are tenants, two-thirds (66 percent) believe Biden should use his executive power since this is a national crisis.
Voters Concerns of the Increasing Cost of Housing and Whom They Hold Responsible
We asked voters how concerned they are about the cost of renting a home or apartment. Nearly two-thirds of likely voters (64 percent) report that they are either “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned.” Across partisanship, we find that 70 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Independents, and 58 percent of Republicans are concerned about the cost of renting a home or apartment.
Among voters who say they are tenants, we find that 80 percent are concerned about the cost of renting a home or apartment, while 56 percent of voters who report they are homeowners are concerned.
Next, we listed various individuals, institutions, or events that voters might believe are responsible for the increasing cost of rent. A plurality of likely voters (43 percent) view inflation as responsible, 22 percent hold landlords responsible, and 19 percent hold Biden responsible. We find agreement across partisanship: 43 percent of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans say they blame inflation for the increasing cost of rent. Voters have varying views across partisanship on whether they hold landlords responsible, however. While 31 percent of Democrats and 25 percent of Independents hold landlords responsible, only 11 percent of Republican voters blame landlords.
Among voters who are tenants, a plurality (44 percent) hold inflation responsible for the increasing cost of rent while only 26 percent blame landlords. Furthermore, among voters who are homeowners, 42 percent hold inflation responsible while 21 percent hold landlords responsible.
How Voters Want the Increasing Cost of Housing to Be Addressed
Next, we asked voters whether they think the federal government should do more or less to address the cost of housing. Among all likely voters, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) believe the federal government should do more. Across partisanship, we find overwhelming agreement on this, with 82 percent of Democrats, 61 percent of Independents, and 52 percent of Republicans saying the government should do more to address this issue.
Tenants and homeowners also agree, with 79 percent and 58 percent, respectively, saying the federal government should do more to address the cost of housing.
We then listed a series of statements regarding the increasing cost of housing to respondents and asked whether they agreed or disagreed with each statement. We find strong support for increased protections from high housing prices. For example, 84 percent of likely voters agree that we should pass laws preventing landlords from including extra/hidden fees in the bills they send to their tenants, while 82 percent agree that when times are tough, lawmakers should do everything they can to make sure people have a safe place to live. We also find 76 percent of voters agree that if tenants had more rights, landlords who abuse their responsibility would have to play by the rules. And, 73 percent of voters agree that when large private equity firms buy up rental properties, only people with a lot of money are able to afford to live there.
We find that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of voters disagree that when prices for food and gas rise, landlords should be able to charge tenants more for their rental property.
Conclusion
Despite the lack of news coverage, the cost-of-housing crisis is getting worse by the day and voters are concerned about the issue. There are clear steps that President Biden can take to provide relief. Biden must take it upon himself to use his executive authority in order to assist those who need it the most, or we will not only have a cost-of-housing crisis in this country, but a major homelessness crisis as well.
Tenneth Fairclough II (@tenten_wins) is a polling analyst at Data for Progress