A mandate for action: 71% of voters back more housing—here’s what it means for Newton
Attend any Newton housing hearing and it’s easy to think opposition dominates—yet new statewide polling shows that impression is wrong. The findings confirm what many of us have felt all along: the pro-housing perspective is the mainstream perspective.
As a proud member organization of Abundant Housing Massachusetts (AHMA), we are sharing the results of their latest poll. This new survey of 803 registered Massachusetts voters (±3.8% margin of error) conducted by the respected MassINC Polling Group in March 2025 shows that Newton for Everyone’s goals align with the will of a clear majority. It’s a dose of confidence and a call to action.
Key numbers: 22% | 71% | 63% | 68%
The Statewide Consensus: Voters Want More Homes
The AHMA poll establishes that housing isn’t just a niche interest—it’s the single most dominant issue on voters' minds. A plurality of Massachusetts voters, 22%, named housing the biggest issue facing state government. That’s significantly more than the runners-up: inflation (15%), immigration (13%), and taxes (8%).
More importantly, the numbers reveal a public that is ready for bold solutions. Asked to choose, 71% favored “building more homes that people can afford” over “protecting the character of neighborhoods,” and 63% favored “bringing down costs” over preserving strict local control. This support isn't limited to one party or demographic. It cuts across political affiliation, geography, income, and race, forming a broad, bipartisan coalition for housing. The message is clear: voters want action.
The Pro-Housing Majority is Real—and It's Here in Newton
If support for housing is so strong, why do local debates feel so contentious? Call it the Newton paradox: a disconnect between broad public support for housing and a local political environment that can feel hostile to it.
The AHMA poll gives us the answer.
“The loud opposition that often show up at local planning meetings are actually a minority.”
— Richard Parr, Senior Research Director, The MassINC Polling Group
The pro-housing majority is real, but it has been quieter. Yet, the crisis is felt deeply here. With a median home sale price in Newton around $1.6 million, we see the consequences every day: our adult children can't afford to live in the community where they grew up, our teachers and firefighters face impossible commutes, and our seniors can't find suitable options to downsize. The poll confirms this is a shared local experience, with 68% of voters saying there aren’t enough homes to rent or buy in their own community.
This is the key takeaway for every Newton for Everyone member: your pro-housing views are not the fringe opinion; they are the mainstream. Our challenge isn't to persuade a skeptical public, but to mobilize a sympathetic one.
How to Use This Data in Conversation
This poll gives us a toolkit to confidently reframe the debate. The next time you engage with a neighbor or write to a City Councilor, you're armed with data.
Claim & Data-Backed Reply
“We must protect neighborhood character above all else.”
“I agree character is important, but a community's true character is its people. The poll found 71% of voters believe building homes people can afford is more important than protecting neighborhoods from change. We can allow our community to evolve and be more welcoming.”
“This is a state overreach that undermines local control.”
“This housing crisis is a regional problem no single town can solve alone. That’s why 63% of voters statewide agree that building the homes we need is more important than preserving the old system of local control that created this shortage.”
“Our infrastructure can’t handle it—traffic will be a nightmare!”
“Actually, building more homes near the T and bus lines is a solution to traffic, not the cause. The poll shows 79% of voters support this kind of smart development, which allows people to live, work, and shop without driving everywhere. For a senior who wants to downsize or a young teacher starting their career, that makes all the difference.”
(You can find the full poll toplines at: https://www.abundanthousingma.org/resources/2025-polling-results/)
Your Mandate for Action
These findings are a mandate for us to be bolder. The core mission of Newton for Everyone is to activate and turn out the pro-housing majority, especially for the crucial 2025 municipal elections. This poll validates that our strategy is the right one.
Now is the time to make our majority voice heard. Here’s how you can act today:
Talk to Your Neighbors: Share these powerful numbers with your friends. Let them know they aren't alone in wanting a more affordable and inclusive Newton.
Write to the City Council: Our elected officials need to hear from the pro-housing majority. Use the points above to draft a short email expressing your support for more housing. It doesn't have to be long to be effective.
Forward This Email: Send this article to two people who’ve voiced concerns about housing in Newton. Let the data start a new conversation.
We have the facts on our side. Let's move forward with the confidence of a majority and advocate for a more affordable, inclusive, and vibrant Newton for everyone.
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