Housing 'Generation Rent'

Abstract

'Generation Rent' denotes young people under 35 who are spending longer periods of their life in the private rented sector (PRS) because of challenges accessing both home ownership and social rented housing1. The 2007 global financial crisis resulted in stricter mortgage lending criteria and larger deposit requirements, which are out of reach for many young people who are navigating difficult labour markets, and have been hit hard by welfare reform agendas2. Furthermore, the shrinkage of the social rented sector (SRS), predominantly through Right-To-Buy sales but also due to declining capital investment, has resulted in such housing being reserved for those deemed to be the most vulnerable in society3. Consequently, many young people find themselves either living in the family home for longer, or moving into a privately rented property. This growth in the PRS has brought its own challenges, which in turn have led the Scottish Government to put forward proposals for reforming the sector4. In order to further explore some of these challenges for ‘Generation Rent’ in Scotland, this briefing paper will draw on qualitative interviews with key actors working in housing and housing-related support.