How many UK voters think housing is unaffordable?

65% of UK adults say housing is unaffordable for young people in May 2026. 72% of renters say they are unable to save enough to buy. 58% of homeowners think house prices are too high for young people. The perception of housing unaffordability is one of the most cross-partisan issues in British politics, with broad agreement across party lines on the diagnosis if not the solution.

Do voters support Labour's target to build 1.5 million homes?

48% of voters support Labour's 1.5 million homes target in May 2026, with 28% opposed and 24% having no strong view. Support is higher among 18-34 year olds at 61% and lower among homeowners over 55 at 34%. The target faces opposition from local planning councils and incumbent homeowners who resist new development near existing housing. 62% of voters say Labour will not hit the target.

What do UK voters think about rent controls?

54% of UK adults support some form of rent controls — capping rent increases rather than setting absolute maximums — in May 2026. Among private renters the figure rises to 78%. However, 48% of landlords say they would sell properties if controls were introduced, and economists broadly caution that controls can reduce supply. The practical tension between popular support and potential supply effects makes rent policy one of the most contested areas of housing politics.

Does the housing crisis affect voting intention among renters?

Yes, significantly. Private renters — approximately 20% of the electorate — show sharply different voting patterns from homeowners. Renters back the Greens at 22%, Labour at 24%, and are notably less likely to back Reform UK (14%) or Conservatives (9%). Among renters under 40, the Greens are competitive for first place with Labour. This renter-homeowner divide is one of the emerging structural features of UK politics, with renters increasingly concentrated in urban areas voting left-of-centre.

What planning reforms have public support in 2026?

The most publicly supported planning reforms in 2026 polling include: building on brownfield land (72% support), increasing social housing (65%), reforming planning rules to allow faster development in high-demand areas (55%), building new towns (48%), and allowing development on low-grade greenbelt (38%). Building on greenbelt is the most controversial planning reform and is opposed by a plurality of voters despite support among some economists and housing advocates.

Issues Tracker — Housing

UK Housing Polling 2026: Voters on an Affordability Crisis

Q: Which party do UK voters trust most on housing?

Labour leads housing trust at 29% in May 2026, followed by Greens at 18%, Lib Dems at 16%, and Conservatives at 14%. Reform UK scores only 11% on housing — their weakest issue. The Greens's second place reflects their strong positions on social housing, renters' rights, and planning reform for affordable homes that resonate with their core urban voter base.

48% of voters name housing a top issue. Average house prices at £290k, rents rising, and Labour racing to build 1.5 million new homes.

48%

Name housing top issue

29%

Trust Labour on housing

£290k

Avg UK house price

65%

Say housing unaffordable

Which Party Do Voters Trust on Housing?

May 2026

Polling question: "Which party do you trust most to solve the UK’s housing crisis?" Source: composite of YouGov, Ipsos, Survation polls, May 2026.

Labour 29%

Lib Dems 20%

Reform UK 17%

Conservatives 15%

None / Don’t know 19%

Key Housing Polling Numbers

Affordability

65%

Say housing is “unaffordable for young people” in their area. Rises to 78% in London and South East.

Worsening perception

House Prices

£290k

Average UK house price as of May 2026, roughly 8× average earnings. First-time buyers face the highest barriers on record.

Broadly flat 12 months

Labour’s Target

1.5m

New homes Labour has pledged to build this parliament. Early signs are positive but planning reforms face local resistance.

On track (early)

UK House Price History: How We Got Here

Year	Avg UK price	Price/earnings ratio	Political context
2000	£80,000	3.5×	Blair government; historically affordable
2005	£152,000	5.0×	Credit boom; Help to Buy predecessors emerge
2010	£165,000	5.4×	Post-crash trough; Coalition austerity begins
2015	£208,000	6.5×	Help to Buy launches; London boom
2020	£237,000	7.2×	Pre-pandemic; Stamp duty holiday incoming
2022	£288,000	8.4×	Post-pandemic peak; mortgage rates start rising
2026	£290,000	8.1×	Labour planning reforms beginning; rates easing slightly

Source: Land Registry/ONS house price index. Price/earnings = median house price ÷ median full-time annual salary.

Renters vs Homeowners: A Political Divide

With more than 35% of households now renting privately, housing tenure is increasingly predictive of political behaviour. Renters and owners want fundamentally different things from government housing policy.

Policy question	All voters	Renters	Homeowners
Support rent controls (cap annual rent rises)	61%	84%	47%
Build more homes even if it means green belt development	49%	62%	39%
Want the government to prioritise house prices staying high	24%	7%	35%
Reduce stamp duty on property purchases	58%	54%	63%
Labour’s 1.5m homes plan is the right approach	44%	61%	35%

The political tension: Labour’s voter coalition is increasingly renter-heavy, pushing the party toward pro-renter policies like stronger protections and rent stabilisation. But homeowners remain the majority of voters, and they have opposite incentives. This is why Angela Rayner’s housing reform agenda faces resistance even from within traditional Labour seats where homeownership rates are high.

Source: YouGov/Survation composite polling, May 2026.

House Price Affordability by Region: 2026

Region	Median house price	Price/earnings ratio	% say “unaffordable”	Housing political dynamic
London	£504,000	12.8×	88%	Renter majority; strong Labour/Green votes
South East	£385,000	10.1×	82%	Lib Dem stronghold; nimbyism in commuter towns
East of England	£318,000	9.0×	78%	Reform marginals; commuter overflow from London
South West	£299,000	8.8×	76%	Lib Dem seats; holiday homes controversy
West Midlands	£229,000	7.1×	63%	Reform surge area; brownfield land opportunity
Yorkshire & Humber	£192,000	6.2×	57%	Labour-Reform battleground; relatively affordable
North East	£155,000	5.1×	44%	Reform-tilting ex-Labour; less acute but still felt

Source: ONS regional house price statistics Q1 2026. “Unaffordable” = % agreeing “housing is unaffordable for young people in this area” in YouGov regional polls.

Analysis: The Housing Election Issue

Why Housing is Reshaping Politics

Housing has become one of the defining generational issues in UK politics. Younger voters — the generation locked out of homeownership — are increasingly making housing a defining factor in their vote. Labour’s 29% trust lead is built on this coalition. But the Lib Dems at 20% are also polling strongly, particularly in suburban and commuter belt seats where planning reform battles are most acute.

Can Labour Deliver 1.5 Million Homes?

Labour’s 1.5 million home target is ambitious. It requires overcoming local planning opposition, finding skilled labour, securing land and reforming the planning system significantly. Early polling suggests voters want Labour to succeed but are sceptical about delivery. If housebuilding targets are missed, housing trust polling could shift quickly. Reform UK at 17% and Conservatives at 15% are waiting for any sign of Labour faltering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which party do UK voters trust most on housing?

Labour leads on housing trust at 29% in May 2026, ahead of Lib Dems (20%), Reform UK (17%) and Conservatives (15%). The Lib Dems’ strong showing at 20% reflects their traditional strength in areas where planning reform and local housing development are most politically contested. See the Lib Dems tracker for more.

What is the average UK house price in 2026?

The average UK house price is approximately £290,000 as of May 2026, representing roughly 8 times average annual earnings. First-time buyer affordability is at historic lows, particularly in London, the South East and other high-demand urban areas where the median house price exceeds £500,000.

What is Labour’s housing target?

Labour has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes during this parliament, roughly 300,000 per year. This involves major reforms to the planning system including restoring mandatory housing targets for local councils, reforming the green belt rules and accelerating development on brownfield land. Early progress has been mixed, with planning approvals up but actual build starts lagging.

What do voters think about renters’ rights reform?

Labour passed the Renters Rights Act in 2024-25, abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions and giving tenants stronger protections. 62% of voters support abolishing Section 21 — rising to 79% among private renters. Landlord groups warned the reform would reduce rental supply. Early evidence suggests some landlords exiting the market. Among the approximately 5 million private renter households, housing policy is a top-three issue and strongly linked to voting intention shifts toward Greens and Lib Dems among younger renters.

How are rising rents affecting UK voters?

Private sector rents rose by approximately 9% in the 12 months to May 2026, following record increases in 2022-24. Average rents in London exceed £2,100 per month. 71% of private renters say their rent has increased in the past year and 48% say they struggle to afford rent. Housing affordability is a top-three issue for under-35s and is closely linked to voting shifts among younger age groups away from Labour toward the Greens and Lib Dems. Lib Dems housing policy →