Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Housing: does renting make us rootless?
Fewer people now own their own homes; more people now live in less secure, privately rented housing. The average age of first-time buyers has risen to 33 years old – its highest-ever point.
#housingcrisis
#rentingvsbuying
#affordablehousing
#ukproperty
#rentalmarket
How can short-term renters become more settled and feel they belong within communities? In turn, not knowing if they will ever be able to afford to buy can create a sense of insecurity; dependent on landlords, victims of huge rent increases and insecure tenancies, the young especially can feel rootless rather than fancy-free. Houses become transactional places to stay rather than homes. Many retreat back to their family homes rather than forging their own way; couples defer having families; and why bother trying to belong to a neighbourhood if you might end up being forced to move house?
The speakers on this panel are:
Alex Cameron - editorial designer; design and cultural critic
Liam Halligan - columnist, Sunday Telegraph; author, Home Truths: the UK's chronic housing shortage
Sheila Lewis - retired consultant; housing association chair
James Yucel - head of external affairs, PricedOut
The chair is:
Joel Cohen - associate fellow, Academy of Ideas
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/worldwriteis30 Thank You.
Housing: does renting make us rootless?
Fewer people now own their own homes; more people now live in less secure, privately rented housing. The average age of first-time buyers has risen to 33 years old – its highest-ever point.
#housingcrisis
#rentingvsbuying
#affordablehousing
#ukproperty
#rentalmarket
How can short-term renters become more settled and feel they belong within communities? In turn, not knowing if they will ever be able to afford to buy can create a sense of insecurity; dependent on landlords, victims of huge rent increases and insecure tenancies, the young especially can feel rootless rather than fancy-free. Houses become transactional places to stay rather than homes. Many retreat back to their family homes rather than forging their own way; couples defer having families; and why bother trying to belong to a neighbourhood if you might end up being forced to move house?
The speakers on this panel are:
Alex Cameron - editorial designer; design and cultural critic
Liam Halligan - columnist, Sunday Telegraph; author, Home Truths: the UK's chronic housing shortage
Sheila Lewis - retired consultant; housing association chair
James Yucel - head of external affairs, PricedOut
The chair is:
Joel Cohen - associate fellow, Academy of Ideas
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/worldwriteis30 Thank You.
