New exit poll indicates 85% of voters reject anti-homeless laws; majority worry about housing costs.

(Washington D.C. – November 5th, 2026)

Tuesday’s historic election occurred amid a deepening housing and economic crisis and an unprecedented rise in anti-homeless laws. New exit polls make it clear these issues were top of mind for voters. Polling conducted by Voss Research and Strategy found that:

• 85% of voters want elected officials to address homelessness with housing and supportive services, not arrests and fines. This includes 94% of Democrats and 74% of Republicans, demonstrating a broad, bipartisan consensus.
• The rising cost of living is the single most important issue driving voters’ decisions at the ballot box. We know that the rising cost of housing is at the center of these concerns, with 56% worried about themselves or a family member being able to afford their rent or mortgage.

These results show that voters want real solutions that make rent cheaper for themselves, their families, and their neighbors, and overwhelmingly reject laws that punish people who can’t afford a place to live.

“People across the country are struggling with rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and an economy rigged by the rich at the expense of everybody else,” said Jesse Rabinowitz, spokesperson for the National Homelessness Law Center. “Voters are sick and tired of politicians who are more interested in making it a crime to be homeless than they are in making rent cheaper. Now, newly elected officials have a mandate to take bold, meaningful action to ensure everyone has the housing and support they need to thrive.”

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About the National Homelessness Law Center   

The National Homelessness Law Center is committed to protecting the rights of unhoused people across the United States and to advocating for policies that prevent and end homelessness, ensuring that all people have access to safe and adequate housing.