Published on August 20, 2021 by CTV News
TORONTO — As party leaders close out their first week of campaigning, Nanos Research’s Nik Nanos says it shouldn’t be surprising that affordable housing has become a top issue in the 2021 federal election.
Nanos said on the latest episode of Trend Line that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a hot housing market, driving up the prices not only for those looking to purchase a home, but also those trying to rent, creating a housing crisis across Canada.
“The reality is housing affordability affects renters because it affects the price of rent. It also affects homeowners, because it affects the cost of being able to get into the market,” Nanos said.
According to recent polling done by Nanos, 15 per cent of Canadians surveyed said they are worried about whether they will be able to pay for their housing in the next 30 days.
“That might not sound like a big number… but that’s 4.9 million Canadians who are worried,” Nanos said.
Polling from Nanos also reports that about 78 per cent of Canadians would “look kindly on any party that had a concrete action plan” to deal with affordable housing and homelessness.