Slide 1

Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 Draft Release: The Role of Sustainable Communities in Economic Recovery A Research Survey Conducted October/November 2010 DRAFT FOR REVIEW ONLY Funding Provided by: The Ford Foundation Fielded by: Harris Interactive Design and Analytics by: Collective Strength, Inc. Slide 2 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 2 National Priorities High Priorities (60%+) Jobs82% The economy85% Health care costs70% Federal deficit68% Cost of living61% Taxes 63% Education63% 2 Q: Now we would like to ask you some questions about the issues our nation is facing today. How much of a priority do you think each of the following issues should be to our elected officials? Slide 3 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 3 National Priorities, cont. Medium Priorities (49%+) Ending the war(s) 57% Public safety 51% Reducing our dependence on oil 51% Addressing poverty 49% Clean air and water 49% Just Not Priorities Wall Street and banking reform 39% Housing market downturn 38% Climate change and global warming 30% Transportation 21% Land development patterns 16% Q: Now we would like to ask you some questions about the issues our nation is facing today. How much of a priority do you think each of the following issues should be to our elected officials? Slide 4 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 4 Transportation Messages % Agree 75% Infrastructure spending on roads, trains, and buses create jobs and help the economy get stronger. 68% The federal government should stop focusing only on car-oriented systems, and start balancing the funding more toward public transportation. 66% We need to rethink the way we develop housing and transportation in this region. The way we have been doing it isnt working for most people. 64% Bikeways, sidewalks, and trails are as important as any other kinds of transportation routes. 45% I would prefer to live in a lively town center or downtown area if it was safer and more affordable than it is now. 34% Having a car is too expensive and too much trouble. I want to live where I dont need one as much. Slide 5 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 5 Economic Messages % Agree 84% Our country is too dependent on oil. We need to change that. 82% Most Americans spend more than 50% of their household expenses on housing and transportation costs. That is too much. 82% Rebuilding our economy and creating new jobs is the most important issue of our generation. 75% Infrastructure spending on roads, trains, and buses create jobs and help the economy get stronger. 66% We need to rethink the way we develop housing and transportation in this region. The way we have been doing it isnt working for most people. 58% I believe that economic growth and environmental quality are interconnected goals. We cant have one without the other. 58% Housing and transportation are in the infrastructure category that makes up 35% of the US economic base. We cant fix our economy unless we fix our housing and transportation problems first. Slide 6 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 6 Support for Sustainable Communities (with Definition) 6 Q: For the remainder of this survey, please use the following definition of sustainable communities: An urban, suburban, or rural community that has more housing and transportation choices, is closer to jobs, shops or schools, is more energy independent, and helps protect clean air and water. Slide 7 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 7 Importance of Officials Working to Create Sustainable Communities Q: Using the scale below, please indicate how important is it to you that your community leaders and elected officials work towards creating more sustainable communities. * Mean:7.4 7 Slide 8 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 8 Findings about Sustainable Communities Most Americans believe that their region needs to rethink housing and transportation because it doesnt work for most people. Sustainable communities, as defined by their benefits, are broadly supported in every region and every region believes they need more of them. Sustainable communities are widely seen as important to rebuilding the economy. There is a clear demand for sustainable communities and it is increasing. The Livability Principles as defined by HUD, are also broadly supported. 8 Slide 9 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 9 A Sustainable Community is.. An urban, suburban or rural community that has more housing and transportation choices, is closer to jobs, shops or schools, is more energy independent and helps protect clean air and water. Slide 10 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 10 Does your region need more Sustainable Communities? Q: Do you think that the region of the county in which you live needs more sustainable communities? Slide 11 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 11 Will making communities sustainable help people in poverty reach a higher or lower standard of living? 11 Q: In very distressed or poverty stricken areas of the U.S., do you think making communities more sustainable will help people living there reach a higher or lower standard of living? Slide 12 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 12 The US Should Q: Which of the following governmental actions do you believe would be effective in helping the U.S. economy? Please select all that apply. 12 Slide 13 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 13 Findings About the Economy and the Role of Sustainable Communities in it Jobs and the Economy remain the number one national priority across all regions and demographics. Americans want the government to stop spending money it doesnt have and use the money it has more effectively. Increasing infrastructure spending that supports communities such as public transportation, roads, trains, water systems is widely seen as a jobs catalyst and economic boost. Slide 14 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 14 Findings About the Economy and the Role of Sustainable Communities in it As a solution for the economic crisis, infrastructure spending ranks higher than both investing in technology/innovation and investments in clean energy and green jobs. Dominant economic theme: Growing the economy and balancing the budget by spending what we do have more wisely. Sustainable communities can be framed in a very positive way IF we are proactive about it. Slide 15 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 15 Findings About Interest for Walkable Communities Interest in walkability has dramatically increased as a home buying factor since the last time most Americans bought a house. 58% now say it factors in, compared to 20% who said it did in a significant way when they bought their current house. 68% of Americans say they would accept a reduction of at least 5% in square footage if it mean their new house was more walkable to shops and meals. The most important reasons given for accepting this trade off is that it would save transportation costs, decrease their time driving around and be more enjoyable. Slide 16 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 16 Impact of Walkable Location on Residential Buying Decision 16 Q: How much of an impact did the fact that there were places to eat a meal or buy basic goods within walking distance of you current residence have on your decision to live there? PreviousFuture Yes (very strong and strong impact) 20%58% No (slight to no impact) 57%42% Region Future Yes East65% Midwest52% South53% West66% Degree of Impact By Region Slide 17 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 17 Reduction in square footage accepted if future house has places within walking distance 17 Q: Still assuming you were going to move in the near future, how much of a reduction in the square footage of the residence would you be willing to accept if the home had places within walking distance where you could eat a meal or buy basic goods? Slide 18 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 18 Reasons to Accept a Smaller Home 18 Q: Why would you be willing to accept a smaller home in order to be closer to shops, schools, your job, etc.? Please select all that apply. Slide 19 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 19 Transportation Investments Findings Enthusiasm gap when transportation is presented as a stand alone issue. Transportation is a very low national priority. Note: Land use is even lower. Expanding the transportation network to handle the growing population is not supported at all in any region and neither are taking care of the system we have or investing in projects with the greatest payback. Slide 20 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 20 Mean Monthly Household Spending on Transportation Q: Approximately how much do you think your household spends on transportation in a typical month? Please include any money you spend on auto loan or lease payments, insurance, maintenance and repair, gas, parking, as well as public transportation such as bus or metro fares and tolls. Slide 21 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 21 Findings About Transportation Investments, cont. On average, Americans think their household spends $638/month on transportation. Suburbanites estimates are twice that of those who live in urban and rural areas. Cutting that expense may be a powerful motivator for providing more transportation choices. Most Americans believe that bikeways, sidewalks and trails are as important as other transportation routes. Less than half of Americans in cities and suburbs and only one third of those in rural areas believe their neighborhoods are fully safe and convenient for walking. Slide 22 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 22 Funding for Transportation 22 Q: When it comes to transportation systems like roads, trains, and buses, do you prefer that the government... Slide 23 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 23 All Messages Tested 23 % Agree 84% Our country is too dependent on oil. We need to change that. 84% I want the federal government to coordinate activities and funding between agencies more effectively. 82% Most Americans spend more than 50% of their household expenses on housing and transportation costs. That is too much. 82% Rebuilding our economy and creating new jobs is the most important issue of our generation. 78% I want my home to be as energy efficient and as green as possible. 75% Infrastructure spending on roads, trains, and buses create jobs and help the economy get stronger. 70% The federal government needs to stay out of the real estate market. 66% We need to rethink the way we develop housing and transportation in this region. The way we have been doing it isnt working for most people. Slide 24 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 24 All Messages Tested, Cont. 24 % Agree 65% Distressed areas of our country should receive more resources then areas that have not been hurt as badly by crises and longstanding poverty. 68% The federal government should stop focusing only on car-oriented systems, and start balancing the funding more toward public transportation. 58% I believe that economic growth and environmental quality are interconnected goals. We cant have one without the other. 58% Housing and transportation are in the infrastructure category that makes up 35% of the US economic base. We cant fix our economy unless we fix our housing and transportation problems first. 57% Climate change and global warming are getting worse and worse. We need to do something to reverse it. 45% I would prefer to live in a lively town center or downtown area if it was safer and more affordable than it is now. 34% Having a car is too expensive and too much trouble. I want to live where I dont need one as much. 64% Bikeways, sidewalks, and trails are as important as any other kinds of transportation routes. Slide 25 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 25 Messages That Do Best Across All Political Preferences % Agree 84% I want the federal government to coordinate activities and funding between agencies more effectively. 82% Most Americans spend more than 50% of their household expenses on housing and transportation costs. That is too much. 82% Rebuilding our economy and creating new jobs is the most important issue of our generation. Slide 26 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 26 Messages that had Fractured Opinion Across Political Preferences % Agree 70% The federal government needs to stay out of the real estate market. 68% The federal government should stop focusing only on car-oriented systems, and start balancing the funding more toward public transportation. 65% Distressed areas of our country should receive more resources then areas that have not been hurt as badly by crises and longstanding poverty. 58% I believe that economic growth and environmental quality are interconnected goals. We cant have one without the other. 57% Climate change and global warming are getting worse and worse. We need to do something to reverse it. Slide 27 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 27 Communicating about Sustainable Communities Slide 28 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 28 When communicating about sustainable communities ALWAYS define sustainable communities. Never use the terms smart growth, livable or sustainable without a clear definition of the benefits. Frame Sustainable Communities in economic and job creation terms. This will vastly increase their relevance over the next decade. Slide 29 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 29 Recommended Talking Points for Discussing Sustainable Communities Rebuilding the economy is the most important issue for our generation. Making our communities more sustainable means generating more jobs, lowering housing and transportation costs and using our limited public funds more wisely. A sustainable community is: An urban, suburban or rural community that has more housing and transportation choices, is closer to jobs, shops or schools, is more energy independent and helps protect clean air and water. There is no one size fits all generic example or photo because each community has its own unique economic base, culture and natural resources to work with. Regions all over the country have their own ideas for sustainable communities and are clamoring to jump start their economy by attracting private sector investment through effective planning. Slide 30 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 30 Recommended Talking Points for Discussing Sustainable Communities, cont. Do not frame sustainable communities solely in environmental, green or quality of life terms and never use climate change the primary frame. Climate change is a significant outcome of sustainable communities strategy but not the best communication vehicle. Do not over emphasize the role of the federal government. Talk about the private sector role and jumpstarting private investment or job creation. Government officials should not be the sole messengers and instead should be focusing on teaming with private sector players who can credibly carry an economic and job creation framing. Our tone needs to be positive, collaborative and goal oriented. We need to call on and inspire regional business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs to work with us to create sustainable economic momentum. Slide 31 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 31 What the Opposition Will Say and How We Counter it Rational Opposition What We Say Costs too much We are making the economy stronger than ever Controlling our Lifestyle Providing more choices Intruding on our decisions Meeting demand Will focus on transportation Focus on the economy Tea Party Opposition What We Say United Nations Agenda 21 Demand is increasing/ Regions asking for SCs Communism Theres more than one American Dream now Hobbit homes in crowded cities Demographics driving demand for more choices Slide 32 Ford Foundation, 2010. Poll conducted by Harris Interactive 4th Qt 2010 32 Learn More For further information about this research contact Robin Rather 512 632 0582 or robin@collectivestrength.com