A new survey of Americans by online real estate company Move Inc. found that 69.6% of voters say housing is a key issue they will follow in the 2012 presidential election. When looking at the millennial generation, the importance of discussing housing issues edged even higher, with 70.7% of this cohort saying they plan to pay close attention to the candidates’ views on housing. Nearly 82% of those surveyed said they consider housing a critical part of the national economic recovery, and 73% believe housing conditions a year from now will either be stagnant or worse than today. Nearly one in three of respondents believe helping homeowners avoid foreclosure should be the president’s top priority during the first 100 days in office. Of those in the 35-to-64 age range, 42% said the government’s role in housing should be reduced. Meanwhile 67.4% of millennials said the president and Congress should either reduce or keep the role of government the same. “After four years of living in a housing downturn, voters clearly want answers and are looking to our elected leaders for solutions. Our survey found that while some people may be frustrated or pessimistic, 27.3% of Americans still plan on buying a home,” said Errol Samuelson, chief revenue officer of Move Inc. “The survey illustrates candidates who share the concerns of the American people and make housing a top priority will win their confidence.” The survey found that several factors are delaying potential house purchases, namely uncertainty about future prices, job worries and difficulties in saving enough to buy a home. Write to Kerri Panchuk.