Affordable housing a high priorityMortgagePress.comZogby poll, Housing America 2007, Mortgage Bankers Association, affordable housing
Nine out of 10 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.
"Without a doubt, there are opportunities available to provide a
decent home and suitable living for all Americans; however, these
developments face numerous challenges and lenders are continuously
searching for ways to fill the gaps and make them economically
viable communities," said Jonathan L. Kempner, president and chief
executive officer of the Mortgage
Bankers Association (MBA). "Raising awareness on this issue is
something that MBA can support and we are proud to be a part of
this initiative."
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,
affordable housing advocates across the country participated 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 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 10 said they would be
more likely to vote for a candidate who had articulated a detailed
plan for providing affordable housing.
"Without question, [the] poll announcement emphasizes that
addressing affordable housing is an urgent need and a priority for
families nationwide," said Conrad Egan, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference, a member
of the coalition of organizations that released the results of the
Zogby poll. "Although affordable housing was often considered a
lower level concern, it has inevitably emerged, given the effect on
so many more families, as a topic that will be a principal concern
for Americans when they vote in 2008 at the local, state and
federal levels."
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 information, visit www.nahro.org.
