Four out of five young people say concerns about their future housing prospects are having an impact on major life decisions such as having children, research suggests.
Bleak housing prospects are damaging young people’s mental health and negatively affecting their life choices, according to a report by the housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH).
Some 78% of people surveyed for the provider said uncertainty about their future living situation affects the decisions they make, such as the jobs they will apply for (47%) and whether to start a family (34%).
Young people in the east of England (36%) and London (35%) were the most likely to say that they were worried about being able to start a family due to their future housing situation.
Respondents in the east Midlands were most likely to say their future housing prospects were affecting what types of job they apply for (51%).
Separate research, published in January by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), found that half of women in England and Wales had not had a baby by their 30th birthday for the first time ever in 2020.
Social media users commenting on the ONS’ report pointed to a lack of affordable housing, the cost of living and childcare costs as possible drivers behind the trend.
For the MTVH report, 2,047 people aged 18-34 who were either renting, living with their family or in shared ownership were surveyed by Savanta ComRes in July 2021.
The polling found that 63% of respondents agreed that thinking about their future housing prospects affects their mental health.
A similar proportion (59%) said this was the case when thinking about their current accommodation.
Some 59% of young people said they think they will have to move away from where they live now to be able to afford a home.
Jean-Marc Okende, who took part in a focus group in Brent, north-west London, called for more “genuinely affordable” houses for local people.
The 24-year-old said: “Having a clear route to how I’m going to get the home I want will give me security.
“If I had that, I can start my own business and take a leap of faith to creating something new for me and my family.
“We live in a climate where things change quickly, so housing insecurity does make me anxious.”
MTVH is calling for decision makers to better support young people by ensuring more affordable homes are built and by giving young people a meaningful voice as solutions are considered.
Geeta Nanda, MTVH chief executive, said there is “no time to lose” in improving chances for future generations.
She said: “The devastating impact the failure to tackle the housing crisis is having on young people’s wellbeing is truly shocking.
“We know that having a home can be the catalyst for so many things in life – starting a family, doing well at school, putting down roots and contributing to your community.
“Yet, as we have heard from young MTVH residents and young people from across the country, there is real concern that the homes and futures they aspire to feel out of reach.
“We need to see many more affordable homes being built, better support and education for young people to help them achieve the housing futures they want, and for young people to have a real voice that is heard in conversations about the future of their communities.”
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities spokesman said: “We know how difficult it can be for young people to get onto the property ladder.
“That’s why we’re taking decisive action to support first-time buyers through our First Homes scheme, which provides a minimum 30% discount, and our 95% mortgage guarantee to help more aspiring homeowners take their first step.
“Since 2010, we have delivered more than 574,000 affordable homes, and we are building on this through investment in affordable housing worth £11.5 billion – the largest investment in a decade.”
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