Survey Finds Americans Redefining “Affordable Housing” Amid Crisis

A new survey shows America’s housing crisis is reshaping how people view “affordable housing.” More than half of U.S. adults say they spend too much on housing, averaging 42% of their income on related costs, while 42% of parents doubt their children will be able to afford living in their hometowns. The study, commissioned by Built and conducted by Talker Research, found that 63% now view affordable housing as a positive solution—more favorably than apartments, townhomes, or mobile homes. Two-thirds of Americans say they’d be open to living near or in affordable housing, and many support policies like converting unused buildings into residences or requiring new developments to include affordable units. As Chase Gilbert, CEO of Built, noted, affordability challenges have “gone mainstream,” with more people realizing the issue is about keeping the American dream within reach.