The Dream

Now, each year, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of renters are put out on the streets.
--Katha Pollitt, The Guardian. 

In the U.S. 27% live alone (up from 5% in the 1920s). Stockholm: 58%. Of course, living alone doesn't necessarily mean you're lonely, just as being old doesn't, but they might be contributing factors. As is the decline in social capital-the lack of permanent residence in a place and/or a lack of job security. Transience and flexible labour. 

[And what about the quality of housing? China's "floating population".]

London (2025): estimated that 60% will be renters. L.A., N.Y. and San Francisco: around mid 50's.
--C.M. Gillies, The Guardian.

The dream of private property (Thatcher). Two things: what kind of dream was that and how was it connected to the ideology of the market? And, secondly, it ain't gonna happen.

Back in the land of the pure. Been teaching since 1993 and am, as salaries go, very privileged compared to most of my fellow citizens (who are only citizens in name). But still could never imagine buying a piece of land or constructing a house unless I prostitute myself a bit. Even then: unlikely.