As it becomes harder for young people to own a home, those within the housing industry are calling on them to become more involved in the decision-making process. 

Various policies have been implemented to try to boost home ownership among the young generation, from Help to Buy to introducing more affordable homes. 

At the recent Planning for Housing Conference held at the Emirates Stadium in London, however, it was suggested that young people needed to be included in decision making when it came to new developments.

Councillor Keith House, deputy chair of the environment, economy, housing, transport board at the Local Government Association, highlighted the problems local authorities had when representing young people.

“The thing about councils [is] that most of [the councillors] are old. 

“Twenty-five years ago I was one of the youngest councillors in my authority.

“Twenty-five years on I am still one of the youngest councillors in my authority. 

“One thing that has changed is the debate about housing and it has become much stronger with young people who can’t get access to housing.”

Cllr House said he was fortunate to own his home in his early 20s, but this was simply not the case now. 

“This has changed the tone of the debate, so if we are serious about increasing supply, [we need] to get more young people energised to speak in this debate and speak to decision makers.

“If you can get councillors who are brave enough to say they actually understand this and we understand that the large unspoken voice is that we need more homes, then we are more likely to get decisions and therefore more supply.”

Ashley Ilsen, head of lending at Regentsmead, felt the biggest concern for young people was not where homes were built, but whether they were affordable.

He pointed out that home ownership among those in their 20s was at an all-time low, so he felt the location and quality of new homes was down the list of concerns among this generation.

“It’s always good involving local stakeholders in the planning process regardless of their age group and planning decisions need to be made by taking many other concerns into account. 

“If we can focus on unlocking more sites and backing SME developers throughout the planning and funding stage, younger people will find that being in a position to buy housing may be more realistic.”

Bob Sturges, head of PR and communications at Fortwell Capital, felt young people should be included in the process, but not to the detriment of any other demographic or vice versa. 

"As regards making it easier for young people to participate, I wasn't aware it is any more difficult for them to do so than any other age group.

"If they really want to get involved – and many are – they can do so by making the effort."