Falling numbers of adults living ‘at home’ with parents shows government housing measures are working – Cummins

The drop in the number of 18-30 year-olds living at home with their parents proves our housing plan is working, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

New data from the EU’s statistics agency, Eurostat, and reported in the media today shows previous figures reflected a time when young people returned to their family home to work remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fine Gael Housing spokesperson John Cummins welcomed today’s reports which also outlined the positive impact of the Government’s housing schemes to help first-time buyers get on the property ladder.

He said: “While I acknowledge that there are still many who feel they have no other option but to continue to live at home with their parents and that is difficult for all parties, reports today say that these numbers are now dropping.

“The ramping up of the supply of housing by this government shows people have more options. I welcome today’s report that also highlights that it is unlikely emigration of young people plays a major role in the drop in the number of people living at home with their parents.

“Understandably there are various reasons why some young people are living at home including students and some may be carers.

“What we know is that there were 32,121 housing units commenced in the first five months of 2024, still more than double – up 147% – from 12,987 in the same period of 2023.

“Record commencement figures along with home ownership schemes such as the First Home Scheme and Help to Buy are enabling many of the 500 first time buyers to get the keys to their own home every week.

“These are the facts which those who are living with their parents but who aspire to owning their own home should take note of and which Fine Gael in Government is committed to further building on.”