New Poll Shows Coloradans Trust Local Governments to Solve Attainable Housing Issues
A new poll conducted by Magellan Strategies has revealed that the majority of Coloradans desire more action on the issue of affordable housing from their local governments, rather than the state.
The survey, which was conducted last month and involved 779 registered voters, looked into various housing and land use policies that were being debated in the 2023 session of the legislature.
One highly debated bill, SB23-213, was supported by Governor Jared Polis and would have stripped local governments of their authority over land use policies such as density and zoning. However, after support from a handful of Senate Democrats, the bill underwent significant changes and ultimately failed to pass on the last day of the session.
Another bill, HB23-1255, did make it to the governor's desk and removed growth caps for local communities. But the majority of respondents were not in favor of this bill, with only 44% supporting it and 47% opposing it.
This sentiment was mirrored at the state level, with 67% saying they believed the state should do more but only 26% saying state policies were more effective than local ones. (Magellan Strategies)
The poll also revealed that 73% of respondents believe their local governments should be doing more to address affordable housing, but only 27% believed that their current policies were effective.
When it comes to trust in handling affordable housing, the survey showed a clear preference for local governments over the state government, with 48% trusting their local government and 29% trusting the state government. Reasons for this preference cited by respondents included the state's lack of understanding of local issues and a fear that state policies may be too overreaching and cause harm to their communities.
The poll also found that 56% of respondents saw the availability of rental and homeownership opportunities as a big problem in their local communities. This concern was even higher among renters, with 77% agreeing it was a major issue. However, the majority of respondents also believed that residential growth and development was moving too fast, with 55% in agreement.
The survey also asked respondents about policies that would allow for multi-unit housing on lots zoned for single-family homes, such as duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). While 46% supported a state policy that would prohibit local governments from restricting these types of constructions, 47% opposed it.
This was especially true for residents of densely populated areas in and around Denver, who were more likely to support these policies.
But there was a strong consensus among respondents on the negative stigma attached to multi-unit housing developments in local communities.
A staggering 81% agreed that local communities have a negative attitude toward these types of developments and 54% believed that residential zoning and land use policies have been used to discriminate against minorities and low-income individuals.
When it came to the cause of the affordable housing crisis, 83% of respondents believed it was due to the increasing number of people moving to Colorado and the impact of inflation on labor and housing materials.
Governor Polis' spokesman, Conor Cahill, agrees with this sentiment and acknowledges that both state and local governments have not been effective in removing bureaucratic barriers to housing. He also emphasizes the need for collaboration between the state and local governments to address the ongoing crisis.
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This poll by Magellan Strategies is the latest in a series of surveys that have highlighted the urgency of the affordable housing issue in Colorado. A previous poll conducted by BSP Research found that 81% of Latino registered voters believed that state and local officials should focus on housing near jobs, schools, and services. Additionally, 85% of respondents expressed a need for state action on affordable housing.
It is clear that many Coloradans are dissatisfied with their current housing situation and believe that local governments should take more responsibility in addressing the issue. And with a lack of attainable housing affecting all demographics in the state, it is crucial for both the state and local governments to work together to find viable solutions.