IndiaPost.com - Americans cite affordable housing as high priority

WASHINGTON: Nine out of 10 Americans agree that providing affordable housing in their communities is important. Fewer than half of all Americans, however, believe that the nation's current housing policy is on the right track to meet the nation's housing needs, according to a new poll released by a coalition of public, private and nonprofit industry groups, including the National Association of Realtors.

The poll results were announced to introduce "Housing America 2007," a national affordable housing awareness campaign conceived by the country's leading housing industry advocates. The campaign aims to inform and educate decision makers and the general public about the state of the nation's housing, reestablish housing as a national priority and promote the sustainable development of affordable housing so that every community can provide its citizens with a wide range of housing opportunities.

"One-third of Americans say having a decent, affordable place to live is their number one priority," said NAR President Pat Vredevoogd Combs. The poll also found that Americans want the government to more actively address affordability issues. In fact, 75 percent of survey respondents said that presidential candidates' ideas for creating 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 articulated a detailed plan to provide affordable housing.

These days, Housing America 2007 participants and other affordable housing advocates across the country are sponsoring activities that highlight the critical need for affordable housing programs, policies and resources. Housing America 2007 participants are the National Association of Realtors; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Housing Assistance Council; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; Mortgage Bankers Association; National Association of Counties; National Association of Home Builders; National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; National Council of State Housing Agencies; National Housing Conference; National League of Cities; National Low Income Housing Coalition and US Conference of Mayors. The poll of 1,205 adults was conducted by telephone from March 7-9, by Zogby America.