The London housing market remains a concern for nearly three-quarters of young people, as house prices soar disproportionately to workplace earnings.
Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows 73% of people aged 16-29 are concerned about housing, compared to 52% for those aged 30-49, 47% for those aged 50-69 and 45% for those 70 and over.
The UK housing market has been unable to keep up with growing demands, leaving many people increasingly concerned.
Housing campaigner Cordelia Cembrowicz said: “The housing market has become even more skewed since the 2008 financial crash and I really feel for those younger than myself as it is even harder to get on the property ladder.
“Private rent is astronomical and many young adults are forced into overcrowding or never being able to afford to live independently from their parents.”
London has seen the highest increase in house prices in the country – a 531% increase between 1997 and 2025 – without a proportionate increase in workplace earnings.
The 138% salary increase over that period in the capital is only 12% more than that in the North East, where house prices have increased by 270% (half of the London figure) in the same time period.
This disproportionality, paired with insufficient social housing and government support, has affected the most vulnerable, including working-class individuals.
Cembrowicz campaigns with Keep Kensal Green, which is part of a coalition of residents’ groups across North Kensington, Brent and Westminster.
The group is campaigning against the development of Kensal Gasworks into a mega development of around 4,000 flats.
Cembrowicz believes more social housing and affordable housing for locals are urgently needed, but claimed the proposed developments fall short.
She also claimed young people will likely not be able to afford the ‘affordable’ properties.
The National Housing Demonstration is an example of grassroots activism, which many people are turning to in the hopes of government action.
Thousands affected by the housing crisis took to the streets of London on 18 April to demand rent controls and better council housing.
The demonstration was called by organisations including London Renters Union, Green Party, and Generation Rent and Cembrowicz joined the march.
The teacher said: “It was amazing to be part of that where people from across the country were gathering together, walking down Oxford Street, in the shared goal of improving housing quality.
“Housing is a human right, and, unfortunately, the approach that our country is taking is taking that away from people.”
Enfield’s Cabinet Member for Housing recognises the housing crisis, but is hopeful that the work she is doing is contributing to a better future for young people.
Councillor Ayten Guzel said: “Young people feel more and more squeezed by the cost of living crisis and more and more hopeless when it comes to the aspiration of owning their first home one day.
“And what’s really sad – and what we’ve seen in Enfield – is that house prices have risen so much but salaries haven’t kept up in line with that.
“So it just feels like a bit of a dream that might never come true for some young people from what I’ve seen in Enfield.
“Young people should feel that they have an opportunity to buy within the community they grew up in.”
Living with parents, too, is a privilege that many aren’t afforded.
Jasmine Salvador, 34, grew up in foster care.
At 19, she was offered a home which she declined as her foster parent agreed to continue to home her.
The home she was offered was demolished five years later.
She said: “It’s incredibly disheartening how not only social housing has decreased, but we’re losing more and more each year because they are demolishing council estates.
“It truly angers me that there’s so many people in the street and so many empty homes.”
When asked whether she thinks there is hope for younger generations, she said: “There’s definitely hope, as much as there’s a whole laundry list of negatives.
“People are mobilising and going to protests and demonstrations, and they’re seeking more and more information regarding local support and community.”
Councilor Guzel noted that it isn’t just young people affected most harshly by the housing crisis, but also older people who have been renting their whole lives and aren’t sure whether they can afford to buy.
The reason they aren’t sure if they can afford to buy, she added, is the lack of education by banks, developers, and even the national government.
Enfield Council published a recent report looking into making home ownership more accessible for first-time buyers in the borough.
Councillor Guzel said: “I wanted to be able to show that Enfield is really serious about leading on this.
“And that in Enfield, we want local people to know that the council stands by them when it comes to all housing options.
“Yes, we are social landlords, but we also have a duty to give housing options and advice to our residents.
“I feel like I can understand young people a tad more than maybe those who have been around and in the industry for a very long time.
“We’re a very ambitious council when it comes to house building. And for me, house building isn’t just about a roof and bricks and water. It’s literally life chances.
“You know, one thing that really breaks my heart is knowing that families are stuck in overcrowded conditions. Young kids can’t invite their friends around or do their homework.
“So by building more housing, not only am I hitting my social housing targets, but allowing more people to have access to better, more quality homes.”
The general population are largely concerned about many issues relating to economics, with the ONS finding that the cost of living and the economy are also among the highest worries for people in all age brackets.
There isn’t one catalyst to blame for the economic and cost-of-living crisis, but Brexit, COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and rising interest rates have all contributed.
This has left people of all ages struggling to afford necessities or their energy bills, and has left a lingering sense of anxiety about the UK’s economic security.
It is no wonder that the prospect of confronting the housing market, among these wider issues, is a major concern for many young people.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government was contacted for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Huy Phan, Pexels
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