Press Room
Affordable Housing a High Priority, According to New Affordable Housing Poll
More than Half of Americans Think Housing Policy is on the Wrong Track
Contact: Mary Barron, 202-289-3500
ext. 7223
Michele Anapol, NHC: 202-466-2121 ext. 226/manapol@nhc.org
Sherry Conway Appel, NLC: 202-626-3003/appel@nlc.org
Angela Waugaman, MBA: 202-557-2829/awaugaman@mortgagebankers.org
Barbara Burnham, LISC: 202-739-0896/bburnham@liscnet.org
Tom Goodman, NACo: 202-942-4222/tgoodman@naco.org
Cheryl Kelly, AFSCME: 202-429-1000/ckelly@afscme.org
Garth Rieman, NCSHA: 202-624-7710/grieman@ncsha.org
Nicole Letourneau, NLIHC: 202-662-1530/nicole@nlihc.org
Liz Warin, NAHB: 202-266-8495/ewarin@nahb.com
Leslie Strauss, HAC: 202-842-8600/leslie@ruralhome.org
Elena Temple, USCM: 202-861-6719/etemple@usmayors.org
Sara Weis, NAR: 202-383-1013/sweis@realtors.org
WASHINGTON, March 21-- Nine out of ten Americans cite affordable housing
as a high priority, and more than half believe housing policy with respect to
the provision of affordable housing is on the wrong track, according to a new
Zogby America poll. The poll was commissioned by a coalition of public, private
and non-profit advocacy groups in conjunction with the commencement of a nationwide
affordable housing awareness campaign, "Housing America 2007."
For a growing and more economically-diverse number of families, children, seniors
and persons with disabilities, affordable housing in quality communities is
illusionary. Housing America 2007 aims to raise public consciousness of the
critical role of housing and community development initiatives and the fundamental
benefits the nation receives from these activities. From March 21 - April 9,
2007, affordable-housing advocates across the country will participate in the
campaign by sponsoring events or activities designed to highlight the critical
affordable housing shortage and the need for programs, policies and resources
to more effectively address local housing needs.
The poll results released today underscore America's affordable housing crisis.
One-third of respondents cited having a decent, affordable place to live as
their number one priority. The poll also shows that affordable housing will
affect the way Americans vote. Seventy-five percent said that presidential candidates'
ideas for providing more affordable housing were important in determining for
whom they would vote. Nearly seven in ten said they would be more likely to
vote for a candidate who had articulated a detailed plan for providing affordable
housing.
The groups have united in the Housing America 2007 campaign to address the
housing needs of a nation in which an estimated 754,000 are homeless on any
given night, and minimum wage earners are unable to afford a one-bedroom home
anywhere in the country. Housing America 2007 asks that we, as a nation, recommit
ourselves to a goal of meeting the housing needs of all Americans.
For more details on the Zogby poll, click here.
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