Political Divide on Housing Policy: Support for Assistance vs. Local Zoning Changes

A recent survey reveals a significant divide in American attitudes toward government housing policies: while a majority support federal assistance for homebuyers and new construction, there is strong resistance to local zoning changes that would allow for denser housing in their own neighborhoods. This "Not In My Backyard" or NIMBY sentiment transcends political party lines, presenting a major challenge for addressing the national housing shortage. The data indicates that support for broader, national policies is higher among Democrats, but when it comes to local changes, both Democrats and Republicans express similar reluctance.

What Does the Survey Reveal About Support for Down-Payment Assistance?

According to an October survey of over 3,000 U.S. adults, 56% believe the government should provide incentives for builders to construct more housing. However, support varies significantly by political affiliation and housing tenure.

• 61% of Biden voters support government-provided down-payment assistance for working-class families buying their first home.
• This compares to 43% of Trump voters who support the same policy.
• The divide is also clear between renters and homeowners: 62% of renters are in favor, while only 48% of homeowners support down-payment assistance.

This type of assistance is designed to help first-time buyers overcome the initial financial hurdle of a down payment, which is a lump-sum payment made at the closing of a real estate transaction.

Is There Bipartisan Support for Building More Housing?

Support for government incentives to encourage construction is stronger and more bipartisan, particularly for affordable housing, which refers to housing units with costs that are manageable for households with low to moderate incomes.

• 73% of Biden voters support incentives for low-income housing projects.
• 66% of Biden voters support incentives for creating any type of housing.
• Among Trump voters, 49% support incentives for both low-income housing and housing of any type.

This suggests that a consensus exists on the need to increase the overall housing supply, even if the methods and targets of that construction are viewed differently across the political spectrum.

Why is There Resistance to Zoning for Denser Housing?

The most striking finding is the widespread opposition to local zoning changes. Zoning refers to local laws that dictate how land can be used, including the types and density of buildings allowed.

• Only 27% of all U.S. residents support policies that would allow more dense housing, such as apartment buildings or duplexes, in their own neighborhood.
• This resistance is consistent across political groups: just 32% of Biden voters and 24% of Trump voters support local density.
• Renters (31% support) are only slightly more likely than homeowners (26% support) to favor these zoning changes.

This “not in my backyard” mindset creates a significant obstacle. As Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather noted, “While many Americans across both major parties can agree that there’s a need for more housing... both Democrats and Republicans are reluctant to see their own neighborhoods become more dense.”

How Do Building Patterns Reflect These Political Divides?

U.S. Census building permit data from the last four years provides a real-world reflection of these attitudes. The data classifies counties based on 2016 presidential election results:

This data shows that construction of multifamily housing—a category including apartment buildings, condominiums, and townhomes—is far more common in areas that tend to vote Democratic.

For policymakers and voters, the key takeaway is that solving the housing crisis requires navigating a complex landscape. There is broad support for action at a national level, but implementing solutions locally remains challenging. Based on our experience assessment, bipartisan housing reforms may be more achievable when focused on financial assistance and construction incentives rather than on mandating local zoning changes that directly impact existing neighborhoods.