Statewide Polling Results Show Voters Believe Affordable Housing and Reducing Homelessness Should Be a State-Wide Priority

DENVER, Colorado, April 15 -- The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless issued the following news release:

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners, Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP), Colorado Fiscal Institute (CFI), and the Colorado Balance of State Continuum of Care, conducted statewide polling in February 2019 with Lake Research Partners to assess voters' understanding, receptiveness, and attitudes toward specific housing policies. This included gathering opinions from Coloradans on a dedicated statewide housing fund and the relationship between housing and health. The poll was conducted among 500 registered voters including an oversample of rural and millennial voters. A solid majority of voters statewide believe there is a housing crisis in their community and that government has a role in addressing it. In fact, seven (7) in ten (10) voters believe affordable housing and reducing homelessness should be a priority even if it increased their taxes. Further, a plurality of voters statewide believe current laws offer more protection to landlords than they do for tenants and they are receptive to policy changes to address this.

Key findings from the statewide polling included:

* 60% of Coloradans surveyed think there is a housing crisis in their community;

* 68% of people have had a personal experience with, or know someone who has experienced, housing instability;

* 34% think there is a strong connection between housing and health, 24% think the connection is not that strong, and 35% think there is no connection;

* 68% think Colorado should have a dedicated funding source for housing;

* Only 10% of voters believe laws are more protective of tenants than landlords;

* 73% favored a limit on landlords making a profit from application fees;

* 73% believe that landlords should be required to register their rental housing and pay a registration fee;

* 72% favor preventing landlords from discriminating against tenants on the basis of income; and

* 63% support extending the notice requirement before a landlord can file for an eviction from 3 to 14 days.

"This data clearly shows that Coloradans are seriously struggling with the affordable housing crisis and want to see the State Government make an investment in housing," says Cathy Alderman, Vice President of Communications and Public Policy. "Further, in an effort to prevent people from falling into homelessness, voters believe we need stronger protections for renters. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless stands ready to work with elected officials and community partners to identify a dedicated, permanent source of funding for affordable, safe housing for all Coloradans and to prevent and resolve homelessness for far too many individuals and families across the state."

The statewide polling is part of a Health Disparities Grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment awarded to the partners in July 2018 for a 3-year public education campaign to address housing policy as a social determinant of health. The second part will include ten public forums across the state to discuss housing, health, and a statewide solution to the housing challenges in our state, which will begin in May 2019 and extend through 2020.

About Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness homeless throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. Since its founding more than 30 years ago, the organization has earned state and national recognition for its integrated healthcare, housing and service programs. The Coalition's comprehensive approach addresses the causes of homelessness, as well as the consequences, offering critical assistance to over 18,000 individuals and families each year. Learn more at www.coloradocoalition.org.