Gender and housing: Broadening the debate

Abstract

This paper explores some factors associated with gender differences in housing attainment amongst young adults in Britain. It is based on an analysis of the National Child Development Survey — a birth cohort aged 23 at the last round of interviews. Focusing on independent households who have achieved ownership or public renting, this study examines the relative importance of labour market position, family structure and inheritance in determining access to one or other of these tenure sectors. Using a set of logit models, the paper draws attention to the different housing experiences of men and women, with and without children, at an early stage in the housing career.