(The Center Square) – A large majority of Coloradans want their local government to do more to address affordable housing, a new poll shows.
The poll, conducted by Magellan Strategies in early September, surveyed 779 of Colorado voters, and sought to gauge residents on their views surrounding housing policy in the state.
“This survey underscores the widespread frustration among many residents of Colorado in their search for available rental and homeownership opportunities,” the polling firm said.
Magellan found that 73% of respondents want more action from local governments on affordable housing, while the same percentage also don’t “think local affordable housing and land use policies in [their] community are effective and moving in the right direction.” Sixty-seven percent also said state government should do more on affordable housing.
When asked who’s to be trusted more when it comes to fixing affordable housing – local or state government – the poll found 48% believe local governments over 29% who say state government.
“Delving deeper into the data, it becomes apparent that the availability of rental and homeownership opportunities is a big problem across several demographic subgroups,” Magellan said.
Most respondents (56%) said access to rental and homeownership opportunities are a “big problem” in their communities. When respondents with $75,000 or lower incomes were asked the question, 71% responded that availability is a big problem, and 77% of renters said as much.
While housing availability is a major concern, 55% of respondents also said the growth of residential housing in their community is moving “too fast.”
Magellan also gauged what voters thought of a failed land use proposal. The legislation, which was backed by Gov. Jared Polis but opposed by many local governments, would have required local governments to allow more types of housing development. The poll found 46% of respondents support the land-use proposal while 47% oppose it.
According to the poll, 60% also support some form of rent control in their community.
The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.51% at a 95 % confidence interval, Magellan said.
