60% of under 45s in SW left behind by housing crisis

New research from housing charity Shelter reveals 59% of 18-44 year olds in the South West say they will be forced to put their lives on hold because of housing problems.

The Shelter and YouGov study of adults under 45 was carried out as part of the charity’s Great Home Debate.  It revealed the housing shortage is reshaping how many people in the South West live their lives and creating entirely new timeframes for when they hit traditional life milestones. Housing is a reason for people lagging behind in crucial aspects of their lives – from career and retirement to family and relationships.

Marriage and family was a major area of concern, with 15% of people in relationships in the South West saying they had postponed marriage, or expected to do so. And many couples are also facing problems starting a family – 24% of people in relationships have put off having children, or are expecting to in future.

Housing problems are a key factor in stalling people’s careers, with 17% of people in the region saying they had experienced or expected a delay in finding job opportunities. The survey also showed many younger people already feel retirement is slipping out of reach, with 9% saying they thought it would be delayed because of housing.

With so many losing hope of a stable future, Shelter and British Gas are urging people in the South West to take part in a national conversation about the meaning of home.

In its 50th year, the charity will use people’s views to help shape new standards for homes in the 21st century – and anyone can have their say by visiting www.greathomedebate.org,uk.

Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive, said: “Everyone deserves the chance to have a home where they can put down roots and build a life for themselves. But our ever-growing housing crisis means many young people in the South West are being left behind – unable to reach the crucial life milestones that were taken for granted by the generations who came before them.

“As Shelter reaches its 50th year, it’s heart-breaking to see so many young people still living in a housing limbo, facing a frustrating lifetime of instability where they feel unable to move forward with their lives.

“We cannot make this crisis someone else’s problem, and it’s the responsibility of all of us to help fix it.  So take part in the Great Home Debate and tell us what home really means to modern Britain – so we can fight to make this the reality for future generations.”

Bryan Halliday, Head of Corporate Citizenship at British Gas, said: “Everyone has the right to a safe and warm home, and our partnership with Shelter has made great progress towards this. 

But more needs to be done to put an end to bad housing. This is why we’re supporting the Great Home Debate to help shape housing standards of the future.”