The cost of housing is preventing nearly a quarter of 24 to-39 year-olds from starting a family, new research shows. Figures from the housing and homelessness charity Shelter and YouGov show that prospective parents across the UK are putting off having children because housing is so expensive, with 57 per cent waiting for up to five years to start a family. The survey also revealed that 16 per cent of people know someone who has moved in with a partner quicker than they would have liked to during the past year, because they could not afford to live alone. One in 10 of those surveyed admitted that they would like to leave their partner but have not done so because they could not afford another place to live. Shelter has called on politicians of all parties to commit to building more affordable homes, so that young people have the chance to start a family in a safe and stable home.