Statewide Marist Poll shows housing is still number one issue for New Yorkers

Albany, NY A majority of New York State adults (59%) rate housing affordability as the top issue impacting the area where they live, followed by crime (18%), access to healthcare (9%), quality of public schools (7%) and climate change (6%).

According to a recent statewide Marist Poll of 1,552 adults, 61% of urban residents, 60% of suburban residents, and 53% of rural residents are in agreement that housing affordability is the top issue impacting their local community.

Regardless of demographics, including age, race, gender, income, and region of the state, housing affordability is seen as the top issue impacting local areas.

In addition, 35% of adults statewide believe that policymakers should prioritize funding for housing when planning the state budget. Public safety (25%) and healthcare (23%) follow.

Urban residents (45%) are the most likely geographic group to report that housing should be the top funding priority, compared to 30% of rural residents and 28% of suburban residents who believe the same.

“The polling shows that current state funding levels and policies to address the housing crisis have not alleviated voters concerns over housing affordability, so much more needs to be done,” said Michael Borges, Rural Housing Coalition executive director.

Nearly half of statewide adults report a limited supply of housing as the leading cause of housing affordability issues in the area where they live. Limited housing supply is believed to be the top factor impacting housing affordability by 52% of urban residents, 50% of suburban residents, and 37% of rural residents. Statewide, zoning or environmental regulations that block housing development is the second most cited cause of housing affordability issues by 15% of residents.

“We urge the Legislature to reverse the Executive Budget cuts to housing programs, particularly those serving rural New York, and invest additional state funding to address voter’s concerns on housing affordability and supply,” said Borges.

View Report Here -https://ruralhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/Rural-Housing-Coalition-of-NY-Statewide-Survey_2026.pdf