#nahro

Majorities Oppose Program Cuts Almost half have been affected by economic conditions in the U.S.

A recent poll by the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) finds that Americans feel safe, affordable housing is a high priority and that most of us oppose cuts to critical housing programs.

More specifically, the results include that:

94% of American adults say having a decent, safe and affordable place to call home is a high personal priority to them;

42% have either lost their home or required some sort of housing assistance due to a change in economic status, or know someone else who has;

67% believe candidates for public office at the local, state and national level should address housing needs; and

51% oppose cutting funding and/or eliminating federal programs that provide housing assistance to vulnerable populations such as homeless veterans, very low-income families, non-wage earning seniors, and those recently unemployed due to the recession.

Of further note, Americans polled are ready to do something about the need for safe, affordable housing in the United States and feel that our elected officials in Washington are not on the right track.

Of those who oppose any cuts to the programs, 72% say they are willing to take action to support programs, polices or assistance aimed at helping to ensure the ongoing availability of housing or housing assistance to those in need of it (i.e. call your congress person, write a letter to the editor, etc.); and

While large majorities believe public officials should be addressing the housing needs of people, when it comes to actually tackling the affordable housing needs of Americans, especially in regard to those affected by the economy, more than two-thirds (69%) believe the President and Congress are on the wrong track while only 7% say the Nation’s leaders are on the right track, and one-quarter (24%) are not sure.

IBOPE Zogby International was commissioned by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials to conduct an online survey of 2,349 adults.

Click here to view a PowerPoint of the poll.

Click here to read more about the poll.