The stress of housing problems is preventing almost 2m people from having children, the Affordable Housing Commission has claimed.

Its research found that 13 per cent of adults under the age of 45 and in a couple have delayed having children or decided against doing so because of their housing situation.

The group, which is funded by Nationwide Building Society’s charitable foundation, chaired by Lord Richard Best and administered by the Smith Institute, says the number is equivalent to 1.8m people.

Nearly a third of parents with adult children living at home –equivalent to 2.4m people – do not expect them to be able to move out within the next 10 years.

One in eight of those polled say their mental health has been negatively affected by their housing situation, rising to a quarter of those living in unaffordable housing, where their rent or mortgage totals a third of household income.

That is equivalent to around 2m people nationally who say their mental health has suffered because of unaffordable housing. 

Lord Best says: “The housing system is hindering, not helping, millions of people – particularly those who are putting off big life decisions because of it.

“Unaffordable housing, especially in the private rented sector, is now a serious strain on people’s mental health and a barrier to having a better life.

“We need a fundamental rethink and structural change to rebalance it and ensure it works now and for future generations.”

Generation Rent director and AHC commissioner Dan Wilson Craw says: “The housing crisis is forcing people to delay important decisions at all stages in their life. 

“If you rent from a private landlord it’s difficult to plan for the future in the knowledge you could be evicted with just two months’ notice. 

“It’s not surprising many of us are putting off significant life decisions such as having children.”

He adds: “Unaffordable rents mean many more young adults cannot even contemplate moving out of their childhood bedroom, let alone having children of their own.

“The government cannot solve the housing crisis without offering private renters secure and affordable homes. 

“The planned Renters Reform Bill is an opportunity to deliver security.

“And to bring down rents, the Chancellor must use his Budget to invest in new council homes.”

The Affordable Housing Commission’s objectives are to examine the causes and effects of the affordability crisis and explore solutions. Its recommendations will be published in March 2020.

Today’s findings come from a YouGov poll of over 2,000 British adults.