Affordable Housing Concerns Unite Older Americans Across Party Lines

Housing affordability is a pressing concern for Americans 50 and older. Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) say the lack of affordable housing nationwide is a significant problem, including a majority who view it as a very significant problem. Concern is equally strong closer to home: 86% say housing costs in their community are too high, with half (51%) saying they are much too high.

Importantly, these concerns cross political lines. Large majorities of Republicans (83%), Democrats (95%), and Independents (76%) agree that the shortage of affordable housing is a significant problem. Similarly, most Republicans (81%), Democrats (91%), and Independents (85%) say housing costs in their communities are too high. While Democrats express somewhat higher levels of concern, affordable housing clearly resonates across the political spectrum.

Older Americans are not only concerned about the problem but also open to practical solutions. Just 13% oppose allowing homeowners to rent part of their home to someone outside their family. In contrast, 53% support the idea, while 29% neither support nor oppose it. Support spans party lines, including 49% of Republicans, 59% of Democrats, and 44% of Independents.

Taken together, these findings underscore a broad bipartisan consensus: Older Americans recognize the growing challenge of housing affordability and are receptive to common-sense approaches that expand housing options and help make communities more affordable for people of all ages.

Methodology

The findings are based on a nationally representative survey of 1,017 U.S. adults 50 and older conducted on July 16 to July 20, 2026, using NORC's probability-based Foresight 50+ Omnibus Poll. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, and religion. 

For more information, please contact Jennifer Sauer at jsauer@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.