SHU Poll: Housing Affordability Unites Connecticut Voters
New Sacred Heart University survey finds rising housing costs transcend party lines, making affordability a defining issue in the 2026 governor's race
Key Highlights
- A Sacred Heart University/WFSB/CT Insider Research Poll found that housing affordability is a major concern for Connecticut voters across political parties
- 71.8% of Connecticut registered voters said their household housing costs increased over the past year
- 67.1% of voters said housing costs and housing affordability will be among the most important issues influencing their vote in the 2026 Connecticut gubernatorial election
- Concern crosses party lines: 70.1% of Democrats, 68.8% of Republicans, and 63.7% of independents said housing affordability will be among the most important issues in deciding their vote for governor
Housing affordability emerged as one of the few issues uniting Connecticut voters across the political spectrum, according to the most recent Sacred Heart University/WFSB/CT Insider Research Poll. Democrats, Republicans, and independents all identify rising housing costs as a major factor in how they will choose the state’s next governor.
The survey, conducted by SHU partner GreatBlue Research, found that more than seven in 10 registered voters (71.8%) say their household housing costs, including rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and other housing-related expenses, have increased over the past year. More than two-thirds (67.1%) say housing affordability will be among the most important issues influencing their vote in November's gubernatorial election which, as of last week’s primary results, is now a race between Ryan Fazio and Governor Ned Lamont.
Unlike many issues shaping today's political landscape, concern about housing costs cuts across party lines. Seven in 10 Democrats (70.1%) and nearly as many Republicans (68.8%) say housing affordability will be one of the most important issues in deciding their vote for governor. Independents also place significant importance on the issue, with 63.7% ranking housing costs among their top concerns.
The poll also sheds light on what voters want state leaders to do about it.
When asked which approach Connecticut's next governor should prioritize if housing costs remain high, nearly four in 10 registered voters (39.2%) favored reducing property taxes and other housing-related costs—more than twice the number who selected increasing the supply of affordable housing (18.4%). Other priorities included expanding rental assistance and housing vouchers (12.5%), making it easier to build more housing statewide (8.8%), providing financial assistance for first-time homebuyers (7.9%), and preserving local control over housing development decisions (7.2%).
Although voters agree that housing costs have become a pressing topic, they are less united on how to address it. Republicans are more likely to prioritize reducing property taxes and other housing-related costs, while Democrats are more likely to favor increasing the supply of affordable housing and expanding rental assistance. Younger voters also place greater emphasis on helping first-time homebuyers and renters, while older voters are more likely to support property tax relief.
“Connecticut voters agree that housing affordability is a major issue, but they don't necessarily agree on the solutions,” said Gary Rose, SHU professor of political science & global affairs and scholar in residence. “That makes housing one of the defining issues of the 2026 governor's race while also setting up a real policy debate over how the next governor should respond.”
The Sacred Heart University/WFSB/CT Insider Research poll was conducted by GreatBlue Research. It surveyed 1,000 registered Connecticut voters from July 21-26, 2026, using a digital survey methodology. The poll has a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The sample was weighted by age, gender, education, and political affiliation to reflect Connecticut's registered voter population.
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