Nine out of 10 Americans say affordable housing is a top priority, and a majority believe U.S. housing policy fails to address this issue, according to a survey commissioned by a coalition of public, private, and nonprofit advocacy groups including the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Having “a decent affordable place to live” was ranked as a top personal/family priority by 34 percent and a high priority by 56 percent of those polled. When asked how important providing affordable housing is for their community, 63 percent ranked it as very important, while 27 percent said it was somewhat important.

No Place to Call Home

Released in conjunction with the kickoff of Housing America 2007, a national affordable housing campaign, the survey also brings attention to the housing dilemmas facing a growing number of Americans. According to the coalition, on any given night, 754,000 people are homeless, and minimum wage earners are unable to afford a one-bedroom home anywhere in the country.

“Despite the many advances we’ve made as a nation in the area of housing and community development, far too many families, seniors, and those with disabilities are in need of a decent affordable place to call home,” said Jim Inglis, immediate past president of National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. “The results of this poll confirm that affordable housing must become a priority in this country.”

Call to Action

Americans also want the government to more actively address affordability, according to the survey. Nearly seven in 10 said they’d be more likely to vote for a candidate who articulated a detailed plan to provide affordable housing. And 75 percent say a candidate’s ideas on how to provide more affordable housing will be an important factor in deciding who they’ll vote for in the 2008 presidential race.

In addition to educating decision makers and the public, the Housing America 2007 campaign aims to make housing a national priority and promote the sustainable development of affordable housing.

“We hope that real estate professionals across the country can get involved” not just for the two-week campaign but for the entire year, says Iona Harrison of Realty Executives Main Street in Upper Marlboro, Md., and past chair of NAR’s Housing Opportunity Advisory Board.

NAR's Housing Opportunity Program will soon launch a new database compiling more than 600 examples of successful affordable housing activities and programs created by local and state REALTOR® associations.”

— By Camilla McLaughlin for REALTOR® Magazine Online