Three-quarters of Americans report concern about losing housing

Eighty-three percent of Americans are concerned about housing costs in America, and 75 percent are concerned that they, a friend or a relative could lose housing, according to a recent report from The NHP Foundation.

More than 65 percent of the 1,000 Americans polled found that they are “cost-burdened,” thanks to paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Eight in 10 respondents said they would like more affordable housing in their communities. Almost 40 percent reported affordable housing is welcome because “everyone deserves it,” while one-quarter said people should have the opportunity to be able to afford to live in the same community in which they work. Almost 20 percent said that affordable housing leads to a wider diversity in neighborhoods, while 16 percent said affordable housing has the potential to revitalize communities.

However, 20 percent reported they were unlikely to welcome affordable housing in their neighbors, according to the report. The NHP Foundation President and CEO Dick Burns said this opinion is thanks to “an outdated concept of affordable housing,” and he added: “Today’s affordable housing is comprised of new and upgraded garden apartments and high-rises, amenity-laden developments that look nothing like ‘projects’ of the past.”

Almost half (40 percent) of respondents worry that losing their job will be followed by a loss of housing. More than a quarter said that perceived lack of affordable options could lead to lack of housing, followed by 24 percent who said increasing rents, and 21 percent who said retiring.

“Job loss is the top concern to those who fear losing their housing; the two go hand-in-hand,” Burns added.