Housing and living conditions of youth – caught between COVID-19 and structural challenges

Klanjšek, Rudi and Odak, Iva (2025) Housing and living conditions of youth – caught between COVID-19 and structural challenges. In: Two countries, one crisis: the YO-VID22 pandemic study. Edition Special Editions . University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press ; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, Maribor, pp. 49-71. ISBN 978-961-299-048-0 (Print), 978-961-299-047-3 (Online)

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Abstract

IN ENGLISH: This chapter explores the housing and living conditions of youth in Slovenia and Croatia, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing structural challenges. The pandemic intensified housing insecurity through job losses, campus closures, and forced returns to parental homes, increasing stress, anxiety, and family strain. Youth in both countries leave home considerably later than the EU average, with financial constraints representing the main barrier to independent living. Croatia faces particularly high overcrowding rates, while in both contexts, housing deprivation is strongly linked to poorer mental health and lower life satisfaction. A severe affordability crisis, driven by rapidly rising housing prices and insufficient public housing, has further delayed transitions to autonomy. These trends reflect broader issues of labour market precarity, deregulated housing markets, and limited social investment. Policy implications include the urgent need for expanded social housing, rent subsidies, anti-speculation measures, and integrated youthoriented strategies linking housing, employment, and mental health to ensure sustainable pathways toward independence and well-being. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Ovo poglavlje istražuje stambene i životne uvjete mladih u Sloveniji i Hrvatskoj, naglašavajući kako je pandemija COVID-19 pogoršala već postojeće strukturne izazove. Pandemija je pojačala stambenu nesigurnost kroz gubitak poslova, zatvaranje studentskih kampusa i prisilne povratke u roditeljske domove, što je povećalo razinu stresa, tjeskobe i obiteljskih napetosti. Mladi u obje zemlje napuštaju roditeljski dom znatno kasnije od prosjeka EU-a, pri čemu financijska ograničenja predstavljaju glavnu prepreku samostalnom životu. Hrvatska se suočava s osobito visokim stopama prenapučenosti, dok je u oba konteksta stambena deprivacija snažno povezana s lošijim mentalnim zdravljem i nižim životnim zadovoljstvom. Ozbiljna kriza priuštivosti, potaknuta naglim rastom cijena nekretnina i nedostatkom javnih stanova, dodatno je odgodila prijelaze prema autonomiji. Ovi trendovi odražavaju šira pitanja nesigurnosti na tržištu rada, dereguliranih stambenih tržišta i ograničenih socijalnih ulaganja. Implikacije za politike uključuju hitnu potrebu za proširenjem fonda javnih stanova, subvencijama za najam, mjerama protiv špekulacija te integriranim strategijama usmjerenima na mlade koje povezuju stanovanje, zapošljavanje i mentalno zdravlje kako bi se osigurali održivi putovi prema neovisnosti i dobrobiti.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	Language: English. - Title in Croatian: Stambeni i životni uvjeti mladih – uhvaćeni između COVID-19 i strukturnih izazova.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Youth housing, affordability, overcrowding, COVID-19, Croatia and Slovenia (stambeno pitanje mladih, priuštivost, prenapučenost, COVID-19, Hrvatska i Slovenija)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Depositing User:	Karolina
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2025 11:57
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2025 11:57
URI:	http://idiprints.knjiznica.idi.hr/id/eprint/1234

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