H
ousing affordability is a pressing concern for many Americans, particularly renters, ahead of the presidential election. According to Redfin's analysis of new data from Ipsos, renters are twice as likely as homeowners to prioritize this issue when choosing a candidate.

    The survey found that 31.6% of U.S. renters rank housing affordability among their top three election issues, compared to just 17.1% of homeowners. This concern is largely driven by the diverging financial trajectories of owners and renters over the past four years. While most homeowners (52.1%) report improved financial standing, only 44.2% of renters say the same.

    The broader economic landscape dominates voter priorities, with 46% listing the economy as a top-three issue, followed by inflation at 40.4% and health care at 26.3%. The housing concern split reflects the impact of record-low mortgage rates during the pandemic, which enabled many Americans to become homeowners but also led to increased demand and higher housing prices.

    The survey revealed a political dimension to housing concerns, with about 25.1% of Harris supporters ranking housing affordability as a top issue compared to 20.4% of Trump supporters. Among renters specifically, Harris holds an edge on housing policy, with 48.4% believing she would better address affordability concerns.

    Both candidates have outlined plans to address the housing crisis, but experts warn against oversimplifying the issue, citing the need for coordinated efforts across multiple levels of government. The Ipsos survey highlights how housing costs are increasingly shaping political preferences, particularly among renters facing persistent affordability challenges.