Voters want Governor Lamont to Take Action on Policies to Address the Housing Crisis
CONNECTICUT – Nearly 90 percent of Connecticut residents agree that the Governor should take action to address Connecticut’s housing shortage and the cost of housing in the state, according to a new statewide survey. The October survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Regional Plan Association assessed residents’ priorities, their views toward the current state of the housing market, and their support for new policies that would expand housing availability and affordability in the state.
“Connecticut voters across political parties, incomes, and regions overwhelmingly say that they want more homes that people can afford,” said Pete Harrison, Regional Plan Association Connecticut Director. “Our state should be a great place for everyone to find a home, from working families looking for a starter home, to seniors looking to downsize, to teachers and firefighters who want to live in the communities they serve. Voters clearly understand this and already support a wide range of policy solutions that we included in HB 5002. It’s time for the Governor to take note of the silent consensus and use the upcoming special session to advance the pro-homes policies that voters already support.”
Tom Wright, President and CEO of Regional Plan Association added saying, “This polling shows there is wide consensus from voters in Connecticut for concrete legislative action, and we look forward to working with the governor and the legislature on passing a strong pro-homes bill in a special session.”
Key findings include:
- Housing is the top concern for voters across party affiliation and geography. Fully 91 percent of Democrats, 88 percent of Independents, and 86 percent of Republicans view housing in Connecticut as a “major problem” or “somewhat a problem.”
Housing is the top concern, narrowly ahead of other concerns like taxes, for 42 percent of voters in Connecticut.
Housing costs are impacting 42 percent of respondents’ ability to afford basic needs like groceries and medications; this was second to respondents’ ability to afford to purchase a home at 44 percent.
Fully 77 percent of Connecticut voters said there are not enough homes in their community that average people can afford.
Over half of suburbanites and those in rural areas view the cost of renting or buying a home in Connecticut as a “major problem,” which is statistically in line with Connecticut overall.
- Voters—including Republicans—think the Governor should prioritize building more homes and bringing down costs over blanket protections of local control.
Nearly 90 percent of Connecticut residents agree that the Governor should take action to address Connecticut’s housing shortage and cost of housing in the state.
Only 12 percent of respondents think their city or town is doing a good job to keep housing affordable.
Nearly 60 percent of Republican voters prefer to prioritize more homes and lowering costs rather than preserving power city and town governments have over what types of homes can be built and where. This preference is also shared by about 60 percent of Independents and 70 percent of Democrats.
- Voters support specific policy solutions. When voters were asked about a suite of policies included in HB 5002, the housing bill passed by the legislature but vetoed by Governor Lamont, overall support for each policy met or surpassed 55 percent support among Connecticut voters, and all of them drew opposition from less than 30 percent of Connecticut voters.
86 percent support allowing underutilized or vacant office buildings or strip malls to become homes.
72 percent of voters support a proposal to incentivize cities and towns to allow more homes near transit.
73 percent of voters support a proposal that would require each city or town to allow a certain number of homes to be built, including homes for people with lower and more moderate incomes.
69 percent of voters support a proposal to expand the Office of Responsible Growth to streamline state processes and provide assistance to local city and town governments.
55 percent of voters support allowing more flexibility for how much parking is required.
Full polling results and details about methodology can be viewed here:
