NWLC partnered with HIT Strategies to commission this public opinion research work. HIT conducted five online focus groups between August 26 and September 5, 2024, and an opt-in panel online survey conducted between October 23 and 30, 2024.

Key Takeaways

  • Respondents overwhelmingly favor strong action on housing. Respondents most strongly supported efforts banning landlords from unreasonable rent increases (77% support) and implementing some form of a Tenants Bill of Rights to ensure renters have the right to push back against exploitative landlords (74% support).
  • The housing message that respondents found the most convincing is one that highlights inequality:

“All of us, regardless of our race, gender, or income, want the best for our families. But big corporations are getting tax cuts while many of us are paying rent that eats up nearly half of our income. We must make the wealthiest individuals and wealthy corporations pay their fair share in taxes so we can provide more rental assistance and make the economy work better for everyone.”

  • When asking how much of a priority it should be to expand access to safe, affordable housing free from discrimination to people who need it the most, including women of color, disabled people, and LGBTQIA+ people, 77% of respondents select it as a priority at the beginning of the survey. After receiving information through messages and statements, 82% of respondents select the statement as a high priority.
  • Respondents perceived women with disabilities, Black women, LGBTQIA+ people of color, Latinas,[i] and mothers as having the most difficulty finding safe, affordable housing free from discrimination.

[i] Respondents self-selected if they were of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.