Renting Across the Ages: A Shared Struggle?
The traditional notion of 'Generation Rent' has undergone a significant shift in recent years. Gone are the days when young people were the only ones struggling to find affordable housing and save for a first home. Now, people from all walks of life - including the elderly - are facing similar challenges.
According to the latest census data, England and Wales have seen a staggering rise in renting households over the past two decades. In 2021, an impressive 5 million households were renting privately, up from just 1.9 million in 2001. The number of older renters has also grown exponentially, with the number of 55+ households in private rented accommodation increasing by 70% between 2010/11 and 2023.
So, who are these renters? What are their stories? We spoke to those in their 60s, 50s, and even younger generations who have taken up renting as a means of survival. Their experiences were varied, but one thing was clear: owning a home has become an unattainable dream for many.
One respondent, aged 62, shared her struggles with finding affordable housing. "I thought I would own my own home by now," she said. "But the prices are just too high. I've been renting for years, and it's not getting any cheaper." Another younger renter, 28, echoed similar sentiments. "Renting is just not sustainable in my area," he said. "I'm working hard, but I'm not making ends meet. It feels like the system is stacked against me."
For many, renting has become a temporary solution, rather than a long-term plan. But what about hope for the future? Will they ever be able to afford a home of their own? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, these renters continue to face challenges such as rising rents, limited availability of affordable housing, and uncertainty about the future. They are not alone in this struggle. If you're a renter across any age group, we want to hear your story. Share your experiences with us, and let's shed some light on this pressing issue affecting so many people.
The traditional notion of 'Generation Rent' has undergone a significant shift in recent years. Gone are the days when young people were the only ones struggling to find affordable housing and save for a first home. Now, people from all walks of life - including the elderly - are facing similar challenges.
According to the latest census data, England and Wales have seen a staggering rise in renting households over the past two decades. In 2021, an impressive 5 million households were renting privately, up from just 1.9 million in 2001. The number of older renters has also grown exponentially, with the number of 55+ households in private rented accommodation increasing by 70% between 2010/11 and 2023.
So, who are these renters? What are their stories? We spoke to those in their 60s, 50s, and even younger generations who have taken up renting as a means of survival. Their experiences were varied, but one thing was clear: owning a home has become an unattainable dream for many.
One respondent, aged 62, shared her struggles with finding affordable housing. "I thought I would own my own home by now," she said. "But the prices are just too high. I've been renting for years, and it's not getting any cheaper." Another younger renter, 28, echoed similar sentiments. "Renting is just not sustainable in my area," he said. "I'm working hard, but I'm not making ends meet. It feels like the system is stacked against me."
For many, renting has become a temporary solution, rather than a long-term plan. But what about hope for the future? Will they ever be able to afford a home of their own? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, these renters continue to face challenges such as rising rents, limited availability of affordable housing, and uncertainty about the future. They are not alone in this struggle. If you're a renter across any age group, we want to hear your story. Share your experiences with us, and let's shed some light on this pressing issue affecting so many people.
especially the 62-year-old lady who's been renting for years... it's heartbreaking that she still can't afford a home of her own. The prices are crazy! And I get it, working hard isn't making ends meet anymore... it's like the system is just not designed to help people achieve their dreams. But on the flip side, maybe this shift in housing trends could lead to more innovative solutions? Like shared ownership or community land trusts? We need to think outside the box here! 
. I mean, I've seen people my mom's age struggling to find affordable housing, and now the whole country's catching up on this 'generation rent' thing? It's wild. People are literally renting at 60+ years old... that's just not right 
. What's next, paying for a retirement home at 30? 
At least we can all agree that the prices are ridiculous and the system is broken 
.
. It's not just the 20-somethings who are struggling anymore - I've got friends in their 50s and even my parents who are renting because they can't afford to buy a place 
. The prices are crazy high, and it feels like no matter how hard you work, you're still gonna be stuck renting. I've seen some of my mates who own homes in other parts of the country move here for work and now they're struggling to find places that won't break the bank 
.
its sad tho cuz i feel like thats the dream for everyone 
theres this 1 lady who's like 62 and shes been renting fer years lol u cant even get a house in ur 60s 
i mean whats the point of even havin a home if ur just gonna pay thru the nose rent? 
anywayz its nice that ppl r willin to share ther stories n maybe we can figger out a way 2 make homes more affordable fer everyone 
. And what about the younger generation? They're being forced into renting because they can't afford to buy due to insane prices and lack of affordable options. It's like the world has turned upside down, man 
. We need some collective action to address this issue before it gets out of hand 
.
. I mean, 5 million households renting privately in England & Wales? That's crazy! And it's not just the young folks who are affected - our elderly citizens are also facing similar challenges 
. It's like the whole system is broken. I've been seeing this trend of older people having to downsize or move in with family because they can't afford rent/mortgage anymore 
I'm literally so sad to hear that owning a home has become an unattainable dream for so many people! 
It's like, what even is the point of working hard if we can't afford to put down roots in our own community? 
I feel for all these renters who are struggling to make ends meet and finding affordable housing is like searching for a needle in a haystack. 
But you know what? We gotta keep on keeping on and support each other! 
If we share our stories and raise awareness, maybe someone can come up with a solution that works for everyone. 
Let's keep the vibes positive and uplift each other, fam! 
Like, what happened to affordable housing? It's not just young folks struggling, my 62-yr-old neighbor is paying through the nose just to keep a roof over her head. And don't even get me started on the uncertainty... it's like they're living in limbo. I've seen so many stories of people working multiple jobs just to make ends meet, but still can't afford a place to call their own. It's time for some serious change! 
.
The numbers are staggering - 5 million households renting privately in 2021? That's crazy! And it's not just about affordability, it's about security and stability. I get chills thinking about all those people living from one rental to another without a safety net 
. We need to find a way to make affordable housing a reality for everyone, regardless of age 
. We need to talk about this more and come up with solutions that work for everyone, not just the government 
Can't we just figure out a way to make housing affordable for everyone?! 
It's crazy that someone who's been renting for years (like this 62-year-old lady) still can't afford to own a home. The system is indeed stacked against them, but what are the root causes of these rising rents and limited affordable housing options? We need more than just sympathy stories - we need systemic change