Democrat spotted backing housing requirements (5)
I believe the answer is:
needs
'requirements' is the definition.
(I know this)
'democrat spotted backing housing' is the wordplay.
'democrat' becomes 'd'.
'spotted' becomes 'seen' (I've seen this before).
'backing' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'housing' indicates putting letters inside.
'seen' written backwards gives 'nees'.
'd' placed inside 'nees' is 'NEEDS'.
(Other definitions for needs that I've seen before include "Demands" , "necessity once" , "Is desperate for" , "Can't do without" , "'..... must when the devil drives'" .)