Housing affordability and the ongoing shortage of housing remain the most salient political issue in Massachusetts, according to a new poll that found no other issue comes close to parity in the minds of state residents. Results of the latest UMass Amherst/WCVB poll show that 34% of those polled said the housing shortage and affordability was the top political issue that they’d like to see Gov. Maura Healey and the legislature address. That’s up from 31% in the October poll. The next-most prioritized issue in the poll was immigration, with 18% of respondents. No other issue was selected by more than 9% of those polled. Poll toplinesPoll crosstabsPoll results are based on responses collected from 700 people between May 17 and 30. The margin of error is 4.4%. Majorities of respondents somewhat or strongly support political proposals to allow local government to limit annual rent increases, incentivize developers to convert unused office buildings into housing, enable homeowners to create accessory dwelling units on their property, tax real estate transactions over $1 million to raise affordable housing funds, provide tax breaks for developers of low-income housing and requiring towns served by the MBTA to create zoning for new multi-family housing. Of the 52 respondents who have tried to purchase a home in the past year, 44% said they were unable to find a suitable home within their budget and 35% said they made an offer that was declined. Another 34% said they could not find an available home that suited their needs. Of the 108 who have tried to rent a home in the past year, 63% said they were unable to find a suitable rental in their price range and 38% said they were unable to save enough money for first and last month’s rent and a security deposit. When 256 respondents said they had contemplated moving out of Massachusetts, the most popular potential destination states were New Hampshire, Florida and the Carolinas. Other results of the poll include a finding that 50% say Democratic control of all constitutional offices and the legislature is very or somewhat good for Massachusetts, and another 20% were neutral on the subject. In regards to the economy, the poll found greater optimism about conditions in Massachusetts than the nation as a whole. 5% said the national economy is excellent and 32% said it is good, while 6% said the state economy is excellent and 47% said it is good. Meanwhile, 7% said their personal economic situation was excellent and 38% said it is good.
Housing affordability and the ongoing shortage of housing remain the most salient political issue in Massachusetts, according to a new poll that found no other issue comes close to parity in the minds of state residents.
Results of the latest UMass Amherst/WCVB poll show that 34% of those polled said the housing shortage and affordability was the top political issue that they’d like to see Gov. Maura Healey and the legislature address. That’s up from 31% in the October poll.
The next-most prioritized issue in the poll was immigration, with 18% of respondents. No other issue was selected by more than 9% of those polled.
Poll results are based on responses collected from 700 people between May 17 and 30. The margin of error is 4.4%.
Majorities of respondents somewhat or strongly support political proposals to allow local government to limit annual rent increases, incentivize developers to convert unused office buildings into housing, enable homeowners to create accessory dwelling units on their property, tax real estate transactions over $1 million to raise affordable housing funds, provide tax breaks for developers of low-income housing and requiring towns served by the MBTA to create zoning for new multi-family housing.
Of the 52 respondents who have tried to purchase a home in the past year, 44% said they were unable to find a suitable home within their budget and 35% said they made an offer that was declined. Another 34% said they could not find an available home that suited their needs.
Of the 108 who have tried to rent a home in the past year, 63% said they were unable to find a suitable rental in their price range and 38% said they were unable to save enough money for first and last month’s rent and a security deposit.
When 256 respondents said they had contemplated moving out of Massachusetts, the most popular potential destination states were New Hampshire, Florida and the Carolinas.
Other results of the poll include a finding that 50% say Democratic control of all constitutional offices and the legislature is very or somewhat good for Massachusetts, and another 20% were neutral on the subject.
In regards to the economy, the poll found greater optimism about conditions in Massachusetts than the nation as a whole. 5% said the national economy is excellent and 32% said it is good, while 6% said the state economy is excellent and 47% said it is good. Meanwhile, 7% said their personal economic situation was excellent and 38% said it is good.