Exclusive: most renters surveyed by Harris Poll say the areas they live in have become so unaffordable they are ‘barely livable’
The poll, conducted by the Harris Poll Thought Leadership and Future Practice, asked survey takers to identify themselves as renters or homeowners, along with other demographic information. Those polled were asked their opinion on home ownership in the United States. For many, especially renters, the outlook is bleak.
Though the vast majority of renters polled said they want to own a home in the future, 61% said they are worried they will never be able to. A similar percentage believe no matter how hard they work, they’ll never be able to afford a home.
“When you think about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and housing is right at that foundational level of security, the implications on consumer psyche when things feel so unaffordable is something that will impact everyone,” said Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer at Harris Poll. The American dream of owning a home “is looking more like a daydream for renters”.
Yep. It impacts literally everything. I’d have to find a new job (or accept an insane commute), the professional network I’ve spent decades building evaporates. I’d likely only see my family during special occasions losing that support network. Kids wouldn’t have access to decent schools, wife would have to rebuild her faith network (tbh, probably won’t exist as it’s not mainstream). All this before we even get to the lack of food variety, entertainment, group activities to fill time with and other considerations.
For some people isolated life works, they just want a quiet place to live, drink, and raise chickens or whatever, but I think I’d go insane.