Price check

If food prices had risen at the same rate as house prices over the last 40 years, a chicken would cost £51.18.

Four pints of milk would be £10.45, and a loaf of bread would set you back £4.36.

We wouldn’t accept this with food. So why accept it with housing?

Unless something changes, a generation will struggle to afford a home of their own.

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A home of your own?

Millions of people are struggling with the increased cost of living. Many are trapped in a cycle of unstable renting. Rising rents, stagnant wages and high house prices mean that no matter how hard people work or save they struggle to afford a home of their own.

Find out more about food and house price inflation in Shelter's report. Download ‘Food for Thought’

Food for thought:

  • 59% of people who don’t own a home say they’ll never be able to afford to buy in their area. 1
  • 1.6m adults are living with their parents because they can’t afford to rent or buy.
  • 44% of Britons believe their children or future children won’t be able to afford a decent home.*

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1 YouGov for Shelter, August 2012: 59% of GB adults who don't own their own home agreed with the statement: 'I don't think I will ever be able to afford to become a homeowner in my local area'. This has risen by 18% since 2009 (50% to 59%).

*Shelter, October 2012: Housing costs force 1 in 10 back to mum and dad