Can’t Sleep, Can’t Save, Can’t Buy: Why So Many Young People Feel Locked Out — And What We’re Doing About It
If you’ve ever looked at your bank balance at the end of the month and wondered how you’re ever supposed to save for a deposit, you’re far from alone. In fact, new research from NHG Homes shows just how widespread this struggle really is — and why it’s not your fault.
We spoke to 2,000 people aged 20–35 across Great Britain who don’t yet own a home. What they told us was clear, emotional and, honestly, pretty heartbreaking.
The £50 Reality
Nearly 4 in 10 young people have less than £50 left at the end of the month.
One in five have nothing left at all.
When you’re doing everything right — budgeting, cutting back, tracking spending — and still can’t save, it’s no wonder so many feel stuck.
And the emotional impact is huge:
- 63% say money worries have damaged their mental health
- 48% say it affects their sleep
- 46% say it limits their social life
- Only 1 in 7 believe homeownership will ever be achievable
This isn’t a generation being careless with money. It’s a generation being squeezed.
“I’m doing everything right… so why am I not getting ahead?”
Two in three young people told us they feel they’re doing the right things financially but still falling behind. In London, that rises to 71%.
And here’s the thing: they’re right.
Young people are budgeting. They’re saving. They’re cutting back. They’re doing all the things they’ve been told to do.
But the system — rising rents, high living costs, and deposits that grow faster than wages — is working against them.
As Money Coach Laura Ann Moore, who is partnering with us on this initiative, puts it:
“Young people aren’t failing at money, the system is failing them.”
So we’re doing something about it: introducing The DOOR Club
If you feel like the door to homeownership has been closed on you, The DOOR Club is here to help you push it back open.
The DOOR Club (short for Deposit Out Of Reach) is a new community created for people who feel locked out of buying a home — emotionally, financially, or both.
It’s designed to give you:
- Clarity about your options
- Confidence in your financial decisions
- Community so you don’t feel alone
- Practical guidance on how to move forward
And yes, that includes real, expert support — not generic advice you’ve heard a thousand times.
Meet Laura Ann Moore — your financial wellbeing expert
Laura is a qualified Money Coach and financial wellbeing specialist who understands the emotional side of money as much as the practical side.
Laura will be hosting our Unlocked: DOOR Club Finance Event where you'll get the opportunity to hear from Laura and other home ownership experts and meet others on the same journey. She'll also be offering ongoing guidance and support through the NHG Homes DOOR Club Hub and across our social media channels, as well as tools and budgeting tips to help you take back control of your financial wellbeing.
Her message is simple:
Your situation is not your fault — and there is a way forward.
Is homeownership still possible? Yes; and sooner than you might think
One of the biggest barriers for first-time buyers is the deposit. But shared ownership can make that first step more achievable.
For example, at our Heybourne Park development in Colindale, deposits start from £4,350.
For someone saving the London average of £273 a month, that’s around 16 months of saving — not years and years.
Shared ownership lets you buy a percentage of a home and pay a reduced rent on the rest. Over time, you can buy more of your home when you’re ready. It’s a realistic route onto the ladder for people who feel priced out.
You’re not alone — and you’re not stuck
The research makes one thing clear: millions of young people feel exactly as you do.
Stressed. Exhausted. Doing everything right and still feeling behind.
The Door Club exists to change that.
Whether you’re months away from buying or years away from saving, this community is for you.
Join The Door Club today
Be part of a community that understands what you’re going through — and is here to help you move forward.
Research methodology: The research was conducted by Opinion Matters among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 respondents aged 20–35 who do not own a home. Data was collected between 13–17 April 2026. Opinion Matters is a member of the Market Research Society, abides by the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles, and is a member of the British Polling Council.
View raw research data here.
