AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, the Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce Foundation (TABCCF) released the results of a new public opinion poll which found that voters in the Dallas-Fort Worth region have serious concerns about the availability and affordability of housing, and broadly support new options to ensure the rapidly growing North Texas community can meet the rising demand.
The poll, conducted by Ragnar Research Partners, surveyed likely voters in Collin, Denton, Dallas, Rockwall, Johnson and Tarrant Counties between January 5- 7. The results reveal that a supermajority of residents – 80% – agree there is a shortage of reasonably priced homes, including a plurality – 40% – who agree the shortage is a “serious problem.”
The poll also demonstrates that voters have general agreement on how Texas should address the shortage. Over 70% of voters support allowing the conversation of empty or underutilized office buildings to residential housing. 69% of voters also said they support allowing large acreage landowners to build homes for different levels of affordability. Additionally, 76% of voters surveyed agreed that it is unfair that only some property owners can change the use of their land.
“With over 1,500 people moving to Texas every day, and the D-FW area being the epicenter of that growth, it’s no surprise that housing supply is struggling to keep pace with demand,” said TAB President & CEO Glenn Hamer. “Texas needs to address this issue now to maintain our superior quality of life that has attracted businesses and families from across the nation and world. We are committed to working closely with the Texas Legislature this session to identify common-sense reforms that remove regulatory barriers and empower property owners to find innovative solutions to address the growing housing crisis in rapidly growing communities across our state.”
“This important poll clearly demonstrates that Texas families are feeling the housing pinch, and Texas must take steps to expand attainable housing options if we expect to maintain our world-class economic environment,” said Nicole Nosek, Chair of Texans for Reasonable Solutions. “The poll also makes clear that we can make important changes now to expand housing options for growing Texas communities as we continue to welcome new businesses and families to our great state. We must address this problem to prevent a housing crisis from undermining the pro-business, pro-family environment we’ve worked so hard to cultivate here in the Lone Star State.”
To read the full results of the poll, click here.
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