Housing across generations: are the French united?

Over the course of these five decades, QUALITEL has seen housing evolve. How have these developments been perceived and received by the French? What did their housing look like yesterday? What should it be like tomorrow? Young or old, where does each generation place the cursor of its ideal habitat? What fears do they express regarding the future in this area? So many questions asked, and more, to the 4.200 people interviewed for this unique Barometer[1], revealing changes appreciated, regretted or expected.

Main lessons from the 8th QUALITEL Barometer - Full study available here.

The French occupy an average of 6,1 homes during their lifetime. From move to move, a common denominator persists: the home remains a pillar of well-being, a "real cocoon" for 80% of those surveyed. A place of refuge where it is important to feel good, "even if it means taking from your leisure or vacation budget", as indicated by 79% of those surveyed.

Beyond this general observation, which is widely shared, the QUALITEL 2024 Barometer allows us to highlight developments, past or future, on which not all generations always have the same view.

Housing from yesterday to today: the undeniable progression of comfort

Housing largely reflects the evolution of the quality and comfort of life. The respondents' memories of their childhood housing remind us that older generations have not benefited from the same standards of comfort and quality of housing as younger generations. For example:

• Only 12% of those aged 65 and over had double-glazed windows in their homes, compared to 67% of those aged 25-34;
• 15% of those over 65 remember insulated walls and attics, vs 57% of those aged 25-34;
• Only 6% of those over 65 had an intercom or digital code, vs. 34% of those aged 25-34).

Conversely, equipment tends to disappear. Some are "regretted" by those who had them in their previous homes, such as, for example, the cellar or the built-in cupboards.

More generally, the three major changes in the quality of housing over the past 3 years concern:

• Double glazing, for 56% of respondents, all generations combined;
• Thermal insulation (50%);
• Sound insulation (45%).

And now: perceptions and objectives that evolve with the age of the inhabitants

The older you get, the more satisfied you are with your home

The over-65s generally feel good at home: they rate the quality of their housing at 7,4/10. A lower score for the 18-24 year-olds, who set it at 6,4/10[2].

Becoming a homeowner, an inaccessible dream according to 4 out of 10 young people

If becoming a homeowner is a desire widely shared by the French, it is particularly so among 25-49 year-olds: 82% believe that it is important to become the owner of their main residence, essentially for financial reasons.

However, 40% of 18-24 year-olds, tenants or living with their parents, think that they will not have the means to make this goal a reality. This vision is also shared by 58% of French people overall.

Especially since for many of these young people, their current situation in this area is not the most encouraging: 59% of working people aged 18 to 24 living with their parents are forced to do so for budgetary reasons or because of difficulties in finding accommodation.

A future tinged, from this point of view, with a certain pessimism, but also with very concrete visions and aspirations for the housing of tomorrow.

Housing of the future: a clash of generations?

A young generation generally more pessimistic than its elders...

78% of 25-34 year-olds think, for example, that in their homes, the quality of life of future generations will not be better than theirs when they are their age, vs. 70% of those aged 65 and over.

...And more broadly convinced of the multiple impacts of climate change on the housing of tomorrow

The French generally share the same vision of the major future developments for housing, particularly those related to the environmental dimension (eco-responsible housing, self-sufficient in water and electricity, bioclimatic architecture, etc.). 4 out of 10 owners, all generations combined, also think that they will have to carry out work to make their home more resilient to climatic hazards (40%), or carry out energy renovations (48%).

However, awareness of certain impacts, particularly climatic, is more marked among the youngest:

Aging at home: housing often unsuitable for seniors

67% of over-65s plan to stay in their current home to grow old. However, 49% of them believe that it could never be adapted, or is not suitable for the elderly or people with reduced mobility. This observation decreases considerably for those living in the most recent homes, going from 72% for those living in homes built between 1900 and 1944, to only 27% for homes built after 2014.

The necessary arrangements for aging well in your home:

And what about the “house with garden” in all this?

Even today, it is the ideal habitat for the French. 74% of those aged 18 and over think that future generations will always dream of it... but that it will be inaccessible to them (55%).

A fear that does not prevent the youngest from projecting themselves there, again and again.

For Antoine DESBARRIÈRES, Director of the QUALITEL Association: "This 8th edition of the QUALITEL Barometer informs us about the many improvements in the quality of housing over the past 50 years that have left their mark on the French... but also about what they are questioning, particularly in light of the evolution of our society and its lifestyles. Let us collectively draw inspiration from this to imagine, design, build or renovate housing adapted to each life situation."

[1] 4.200 people surveyed by IPSOS in April and May 2024.

[2] “Qualiscore”, composite index established by Ipsos for QUALITEL, allowing the perceived quality of housing to be rated, based on 17 criteria.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.