Housing costs
Housing cost is identified in 2026 national youth and midterm-focused polling as an urgent crisis alongside inflation. As affordability dominates voter concerns, housing pressure is a live issue for Maine residents evaluating candidates in the 2026 cycle.
What is the best way for policymakers to respond to high housing costs affecting Maine?
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Sources
Harvard Institute of Politics — https://iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/52nd-edition-spring-2026
Rising prices and inflation (46%) and the cost of housing (40%) are the only issues that large shares of young Americans consider urgent national crises, far outpacing other issues tested.
Pew Research Center — https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/07/23/as-the-2026-midterms-approach-economy-is-front-and-center
By a wide margin, voters most want candidates running for Congress to talk about economic issues – with many specifically mentioning prices and affordability.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Large public housing buildout, rent controls, and strong tenant protections
- Expand subsidies and affordable units while adding moderate tenant safeguards
- Mix zoning reform, limited incentives, and some assistance without heavy controls
- Primarily deregulate zoning and speed private building with minimal subsidies
- Rely on free-market construction and remove rent regulations and housing mandates