Exclusive: most renters surveyed by Harris Poll say the areas they live in have become so unaffordable they are ‘barely livable’

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”.

  • TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world
    102·
    10 months ago

    Because many users here are landlords themselves, obviously. My theory is that since many Lemmy users are IT workers, have been working for many years, many of whom are middle aged, and they make lots of money in contrast to other professions, they could easily afford a house. I have an IT friend who bought a house 5 years after he started his first job after graduation. Here in Ireland, one of the reasons for Dublin’s extortionate house prices and rent is because of the tech sector. Some IT employees from the United States come over for business trip and rent some accommodations for few days. Dublin is also trying to be the “Silicon Valley” of Ireland and since landlords know how much IT workers make, they could easily increase the rent.