Homeownership - Spring 2004

Quality of Life surveys have consistently found that people across the state are satisfied with the costs associated with owning or renting a home. This survey takes the issue one step further – it measures the link between housing affordability and quality of life. Eight out of ten state residents say that the current access to affordable housing contributes a great deal (42%) or somewhat (39%) to a high quality of life for them and their families. Moreover, appropriate housing for the elderly contributes a great deal or somewhat to the quality of life for 80% of respondents.

On the other hand, property taxes have a significant impact on the affordability of homeownership. While almost two thirds of homeowners in this survey (63%) report that they are satisfied with their costs of homeownership, only 41% are satisfied with those costs when property taxes are taken into account.
 

How satisfied are you with the cost of owning a home? How satisfied are you with the cost of owning a home including property taxes? Almost two thirds of homeowners in Wisconsin report that they are satisfied with the costs of owning their home. About half that number, 34%, are satisfied with the amount they pay in property taxes. When they take into consideration the property taxes they pay, just 41% of homeowners are satisfied with the costs of owning their homes.
Currently, how much does affordable housing contribute to your quality of life? Currently, how much does housing for the elderly contribute to your quality of life? A strong majority of state residents believe that their access to affordable housing in their own communities contributes to a high quality of life for them and their families, including their parents.