Have thoughts on affordable housing in Idaho? Here’s how to weigh in on U.S. Sen. Crapo’s survey.

U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, is collecting Idahoans’ opinions on affordable housing through a survey.

The survey is meant to inform Crapo about common issues to possibly consider legislation, the senator’s office announced in a news release in March. In 2014 and 2015, the senator’s veterans’ surveys led Crapo to introduce legislation that became law, his office said. 

“A lack of affordable housing is the number one issue Idahoans raise with my staff and me in meetings across the State,” Crapo said in a prepared statement.  “Idaho is far from alone in this nationwide challenge, but Idahoans can be a key part in piecing together the housing puzzle as I continue to work to find collaborative solutions to this issue. I invite any Idahoan to complete the survey and share as much detail as they are willing and able to provide.”

For two years in a row, Idahoans have listed workforce and affordable housing as their overall top budget priority for the Idaho Legislature, according to the annual Idaho Public Policy Survey by Boise State University. Almost a third of Idahoans, 32%, listed the issue as their top state legislative budget priority. Nearly half of Idahoans, 49%, reported feeling financially strained by housing costs, the survey found.

Crapo’s affordable housing survey, available online, is open through May 31.

The survey is intended to hear feedback from homeowners, renters, insurance brokers, bankers, realtors, government officials and general contractors, Crapo’s office said.