The Hidden Crisis: How the Gender Housing Gap is Leaving Single Women Behind

The UK is in the midst of a housing crisis, and single women are bearing the brunt of it. With house prices soaring and wages stagnating, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for single women to get on the property ladder. In fact, according to exclusive data shared with i by the Women’s Budget Group (WBG), there is not a single area in England where a single woman can afford to buy a home.

The gender housing gap is a growing concern

The gender pay gap has been well-documented, but the gender housing gap is a lesser-known issue that is having a devastating impact on single women. With average house prices now 16 times women’s average salaries in London, it’s almost impossible for most single women to get a mortgage. And it’s not just buying a home that’s the problem - renting is also becoming increasingly unaffordable.

Renting is becoming increasingly unaffordable for single women

According to the WBG, the average cost of renting a one-bedroom home in England now swallows up 36 per cent of women’s earnings, but just 26 per cent of men’s. In London, it’s 53 per cent of women’s earnings compared to 41 per cent of men’s. And if you need a room for your children? For a two-bed home, women must spend 40 per cent of their earnings compared to 28 per cent of men’s. In London that’s a whopping 62 per cent of women’s earnings compared to 49 per cent for men.

Single mothers are being disproportionately affected by the gender housing gap

The consequences of this crisis are far-reaching. Homelessness is soaring, particularly among families with children. Local councils’ finances are on the brink, and the mental and physical health of those affected is being severely impacted.

Homelessness is soaring as a result of the gender housing gap

So what can be done to address this crisis? Firstly, the government needs to take the gender housing gap seriously and provide support for single women who are struggling to get on the property ladder. This could include providing affordable housing options, increasing the availability of social housing, and introducing policies to help single women save for a deposit.

The government needs to take action to address the gender housing gap

Secondly, we need to address the root causes of the gender housing gap. This means tackling the gender pay gap, providing affordable childcare options, and ensuring that women have access to the same job opportunities as men.

Tackling the gender pay gap is key to addressing the gender housing gap

Finally, we need to raise awareness of this crisis and put pressure on policymakers to take action. We need to make sure that single women are not forgotten in the housing debate and that their voices are heard.

Raising awareness of the gender housing gap is crucial

The gender housing gap is a crisis that affects us all. It’s time for us to come together and demand change.