Two in three (66%) young Londoners support building on the green belt to improve their housing chances, a survey has revealed.

Developer Pocket Living’s poll of 1,000 25 to 45-year-old Londoners also found that almost all (96%) believe that housing is a crucial or important issue for politicians to focus on ahead of the next general election.

Housing ranked above issues such as education, immigration and Brexit, with the majority (78%) of those surveyed claiming they felt the current government isn’t doing enough for affordable homes in London.

And 67% said they would vote for a candidate at the next election that promoted more housing delivery regardless of their political stance. The figure increases to 73% of those aged between 25-29.

Green belt-designated land makes up 22% of the total land area in London, the highest proportion for any area in England.

According to Pocket Living, three-quarters of renters say housing is unaffordable in the capital and over half (51%) feel that supply is poor.

The developer’s research also found that almost one quarter (22%) of non-homeowners under 45 are actively considering leaving London over the next 12 months, likely due to soaring rental and for-sale housing costs.

Furthermore, a quarter (25%) of the key workers surveyed, which equates to roughly 200,000 people in the 25- to 45-year-old age bracket, could leave the capital in search of more affordable housing opportunities this year unless there is a drastic shift in housing opportunities available.

Marc Vlessing, Pocket Living’s CEO, said: “London is at breaking point and this year’s research should act as a wake-up call for policymakers and politicians.

“Our findings suggest that a staggering two in three non-homeowning Londoners believe they will never own their own home and without urgent intervention to enhance housing solutions, the capital could see many hard-working city makers, essential to our growing economy, pack their bags and leave.”

The survey found that 65% of those polled believe they will never be able to buy their own home in London, with the number of people looking to buy within the capital plunging to a three-year low, with just over one in 10 (13%) stating their intention to buy over the next 12 months, down from one in five in 2021.

Additionally, 60% of London homeowners said that they would not have been able to purchase without support from their parents – up from 49% in 2021.

Pocket’s research also exposed some of the current challenges facing the London rental market, with almost two-fifths of renters believing that they would continue needing some financial support from their parents over the next 10 years.

Vlessing continued: “It is clear from our research that these Londoners are ready to take to the ballot box to help improve their long-term housing needs and in 2024 they will have the opportunity to do just that.

“Next year’s elections might be one of the first times where this demographic out-votes the boomer generation, with those aged between 25 to 45 making up over 30% of the population both in London and the rest of England. Winning over this demographic will be critical to the success of any political entity and our research suggests ambitious housing policies, such as Greenbelt reform, could be the tipping point.

“Following the events at the Labour Party Conference, it’s clear the Party finally seems to understand the current housing issues and the need for a radical reform of the planning system to build more affordable homes.

“The nuances identified within this research are not restricted to London. Up and down the country, whether it is Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, or Bristol, young people are suffering when it comes to 3 housing. It is now time for the political classes to sit up, take note and show they are ready to take on this challenge.”