“One of the main problems in the world today is the lack of affordable housing for young people to live independently," Zaklina Grgic, a specialist in geography and environmental design at the University of Georgia in the United States, said during the session titled “Youth Housing Pathways in the Western Balkans: Perspectives for Socially Sustainable Cities” held within the framework of WUF13, APA reports.
She noted that this issue is considered one of the serious housing problems not only in Europe but also in many parts of the world:
“One of the main reasons for the problem is the lack of affordable housing for young people to live independently, and this issue is closely linked to economic opportunities. This is also the main reason why young people continue to live in the family home for a long time. This issue concerns not only the present period but also the long-term future.”
She added that the main goal of the sustainable cities and communities approach is precisely to address these issues:
“We will study the housing search process of young people aged 18–30, the obstacles they face, and other problems. Then, we will link these results with the steps policymakers can take in the future to build more socially sustainable cities. The main focus during this process will be on young people aged 18–30,” Zaklina Grgic said.
