Three in Four People Cut Back on Essentials to Afford Housing, Global Survey Finds

A new global report on housing affordability reveals that three in four people around the world cut back on at least one expense over the past year just to keep a roof over their heads. The findings, released on October 5, 2026, in Habitat for Humanity International’s Home at What Cost? report, show that the true cost of housing reaches far beyond rent and mortgage payments — it includes food, healthcare, savings, and even the dream of owning a home.

FAKTA: Key findings from the global survey

• 75% of respondents cut back on at least one expense in the past year to afford housing costs.
• 33% spent less on food, 32% dipped into savings or emergency funds, and 13% delayed or avoided medical care.
• 56% of non-homeowners in Canada say they do not expect to ever own a home — the highest rate among 22 surveyed countries.
• 48% say one unexpected problem could threaten their ability to stay housed.
• The survey covered 30,758 people across 22 countries, conducted between April 10 and June 30, 2026.

The true price of housing affordability

According to the report, the burden falls hardest on those already facing the greatest housing vulnerability. Among people living in informal arrangements, 89% said they had cut back on expenses, along with 85% of lower-income respondents and 81% of younger generations — Gen Z and Millennials.

The trade-offs reach the very essentials. One-third of all respondents said they spent less on food to afford their homes, nearly one-third dipped into savings or emergency funds, and 13% delayed or avoided medical care.

Homeownership dreams fading in wealthy countries

Concerns over future homeownership are highest in higher-income countries, particularly in North America. More than half of non-homeowners in Canada (56%) say they do not expect to own a home at some point in their life — compared with a global average of 23% — while nearly half in the United States (42%) feel the same. The United Kingdom (50%) and Australia (52%) also rank high.

Why Canadians are giving up on owning

In Canada, two-thirds of respondents (66%) said they made at least one financial sacrifice in the past year to cover housing costs. The main barriers cited were homes being too expensive (54%), income too low (50%), and insufficient savings for a down payment (41%). Some 81% agreed that rising costs make homeownership increasingly difficult, and 73% said there are too few affordable homes available to buy.

Young families pay the heaviest price

The impact extends well beyond household budgets. More than half of all respondents (56%) said housing costs make it difficult to consider starting a family — rising to 62% among Gen Z and Millennials. Nearly six in ten parents and guardians (58%) worry that housing costs are limiting opportunities for their children.

Housing stress also weighs on well-being. More than one in three people (35%) said their housing situation is one of the biggest sources of stress in their lives, rising to 64% among those in informal housing arrangements. Yet nearly nine in ten respondents (89%) said that safe, comfortable, and reliable housing helps them stay mentally healthy.

Housing safety and the climate factor

The report also links housing affordability to climate resilience. Nearly a third of respondents (30%) expect extreme weather to make living where they are harder over the next three years, while 18% said their home does not protect them from extreme weather such as heat, cold, or flooding.

A call for action on housing

Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, said the findings show why governments, businesses, and communities must work together. “A home should never come at the cost of your health or your future. It should be the foundation of health, opportunity and financial security,” he said, calling for political commitment, investment, and expanded housing finance.

Pedro Barata, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada, described the results as a sign of systemic failure. “Canada’s housing crisis has become an opportunity crisis. When people are sacrificing food, savings, and peace of mind to afford housing, they can never get ahead,” he said.

For readers following real estate and housing coverage, the report adds to a growing body of evidence that housing costs are reshaping life choices — from family plans to health decisions — across both rich and poor countries.

Conclusion

The Home at What Cost? report makes clear that housing affordability is no longer just an economic issue — it is a public health, family, and opportunity issue. With three in four people cutting back on essentials and homeownership slipping out of reach for millions, the survey’s authors argue that housing systems need political commitment and investment, not promises. Whether governments and markets respond will shape how — and where — the next generation lives.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Home at What Cost? report?

It is a global research report released on October 5, 2026, by Habitat for Humanity International, based on nationally representative surveys of 30,758 people across 22 countries, conducted between April 10 and June 30, 2026.

Which countries had the highest homeownership pessimism?

Canada ranked highest: 56% of non-homeowners there said they do not expect to ever own a home, more than double the global average of 23%. The United Kingdom (50%), Australia (52%), and the United States (42%) also scored high.

How do housing costs affect families?

Some 56% of respondents said housing costs make it difficult to consider starting a family, rising to 62% among Gen Z and Millennials, and 58% of parents worry that housing costs are limiting their children’s opportunities.

What does the report recommend?

Habitat for Humanity calls on governments to move from housing promises to housing pathways through political commitment and investment, on businesses to expand housing finance innovation, and on communities and individuals to drive lasting housing solutions.