Affordable housing a top concern

Nine out of 10 Americans and Canadians believe that solving the lack of affordable housing is urgent

Affordable housing a top concern
The lack of affordable housing continues to plague both Americans and Canadians.

A recent survey by Habitat for Humanity revealed nine out of 10 Americans and Canadians said it’s crucial to solve the affordable housing crisis, and that cost is still the main barrier for families trying to purchase homes with affordable mortgages.

"In many ways, housing is an invisible crisis," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “There are still too many families without access to safe, secure and affordable housing. This survey highlights the value all of us place on a decent place to call home and underscores the critical need to increase access to affordable housing.”

For Americans, the American dream of owning a home is still a prime achievement. Ninety-two percent of survey respondents said so, and 68% said being a homeowner is a top priority. Meanwhile, 91% said owning a home made them more responsible, 44% said it helped them build a nest egg, and 41% said being a homeowner gave them stability.

Meanwhile, 59% said affordable housing is an urgent issue in the US and 75% believe the issue is not being given enough attention.

The view on housing costs is quite pessimistic, with 72% of Americans and 84% of Canadians saying they believe housing costs will continue to go up in the next five years.


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