Voters want action on housing. Even in their own communities.
The housing crisis is the most pressing issue facing the Commonwealth and that reality is reflected in the attitudes of the voters.
A new statewide poll commissioned by Abundant Housing Massachusetts (AHMA) finds that strong majorities of Massachusetts voters support building more homes in their own communities — even when it means changes to neighborhood character or local decision-making.
The poll results may be downloaded here:
The survey, conducted by The MassINC Polling Group on behalf of AHMA and based on responses from 803 registered voters, shows strong support for more housing and legislative action. More than four in five voters (81%) back new legislation to make it easier to build more homes and a greater variety of housing types across the Commonwealth.
71% say building more homes people can afford is more important than protecting traditional neighborhood character, and 63% say it matters more than preserving local control over what types of housing get built.
When asked about specific policies, strong majorities supported those recommended by Governor Healey’s Unlocking Housing Production Commission and proposed in An Act to Promote Yes in My Backyard (H.1572/S.962) and An Act to Study Single-Stair Residential Buildings (H.1542/S.964).
Housing remains the top concern for voters, ranking above inflation and immigration — underscoring the continued urgency for bold, solutions-driven action.
These results were not surprising, given voters’ attitudes on housing. Housing was the most frequently cited issue facing state government and three-quarters said that there were not enough homes to rent or buy in Massachusetts.
Key findings from the 2025 poll:
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71% of voters say building more homes people can afford is more important than protecting traditional neighborhood character.
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63% say building more homes and bringing down costs is more important than preserving local control over what type of housing gets built.
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Housing remains the top concern for voters, ranking above inflation, immigration, and taxes.
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More than four in five voters (81%) support legislation to make it easier to build more housing and offer a greater variety of housing types across the Commonwealth.
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Support for pro-housing solutions crosses party lines, geography, income, and race — with especially high support among renters (89%), non-white voters (86%), parents, and voters under age 45.
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A majority of voters also support several policies recommended in the state’s Unlocking Housing Production Commission report — signaling alignment between public opinion and proposed legislative solutions.
This voter survey provides strong evidence that Massachusetts voters broadly support building more homes in their communities. And this is not limited to the abstract. When presented with several policies to make it easier to build more homes, majorities of voters supported each one. As the legislature considers taking action this year, it should take confidence in the fact that Massachusetts voters are pro-housing.
About the Poll:
Between March 17 and 20, the MassINC Polling Group, on behalf of Abundant Housing Massachusetts, conducted an online survey of 803 Massachusetts voters to gauge their support on a variety of housing related goals and policies.The credibility interval for the full sample is +/- 3.8 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, inclusive of the design effect.
Statements on Polling Results:
“These results confirm that Massachusetts residents continue to feel the strain of our severe housing shortage,”said Jesse Kanson-Benanav, executive director of Abundant Housing MA. “Across the Commonwealth, voters want more housing solutions that create an abundance of housing opportunities for families, renters, and longtime homeowners alike. They’re telling lawmakers: say yes to homes — and yes to the future of Massachusetts by passing reforms that will build more homes for everyday residents”
“Polls have shown for a couple years that housing is a top issue facing the state as a whole. What this poll shows is that there is support for doing something about that at the local level as well,” said Richard Parr, Senior Research Director at The MassINC Polling Group. “This survey shows that the loud opposition that often show up at local planning meetings are actually a minority. Most people, when presented with practical solutions, seem ready to say yes to more housing.”
“In cities like Haverhill, housing isn’t an abstract policy debate — it’s what determines whether people can stay close to work, family, and opportunity,” said Representative Andy Vargas (D-Haverhill). “This poll shows what many of us already know – that most folks want more housing, not more barriers to getting it built. We can’t let a vocal minority keep holding back solutions that reflect the reality on the ground.”
“Across the Commonwealth, we need smart, balanced policies that make it easier to build housing near jobs and transit,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn). “And I look forward to working with my colleagues, advocates, the administration, and most importantly, the families directly impacted, to deliver the housing our communities need.”
