New National Survey Reveals Deepening Concerns About Housing Affordability and Insights for Shaping Public Support

BOSTON, MA – November 17, 2025 – A new national survey commissioned by the Housing Partnership Network (HPN) and designed by the Center for Public Interest Communications (CPIC) at the University of Florida reveals that Americans are increasingly concerned about housing affordability and are looking to nonprofit builders for solutions.

The survey, conducted via YouGov with a nationally representative sample of 1,400 U.S. adults, is part of HPN’s broader work to understand and influence public narratives about housing affordability and public investment in housing.

Key findings include:

  • Housing affordability is worsening nationwide: A strong majority of Americans (71.4%) say housing affordability in their community has gotten worse in recent years.
  • Affordability challenges hit close to home: Nearly half of respondents (46.7%) expressed moderate to extreme concern about their own ability to afford housing, and 44.4% personally know someone who is struggling to find an affordable place to live.
  • Americans see the causes as structural—not partisan: Across political lines, respondents most often pointed to rising building costs and broader economic uncertainty as the drivers of the housing shortage.
  • Nonprofit builders are trusted to solve the problem: Respondents reported significantly stronger trust in nonprofit developers and housing organizations to address affordability challenges, with government and nonprofit investment preferred over private-sector approaches.

“These findings underscore that housing affordability is top of mind for Americans across diverse political viewpoints and demographics,” says Robin Hughes, President and CEO at HPN. “In 2026, policy makers will need to be responsive to this overwhelming public sentiment.”


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