Core Insights - Younger generations are increasingly making riskier investments and spending more recklessly as they abandon the American dream of homeownership, driven by declining housing affordability [1][2] - The study indicates that individuals born in the 1990s are projected to have a homeownership rate approximately 9.6 percentage points lower than that of their parents' generation [2] - Households with lower perceived probabilities of achieving homeownership tend to spend a larger share of their income on consumption, reduce work effort, and engage in riskier investments [2][5] Housing Affordability Trends - The affordability crisis in the housing market began around 2020 and intensified sharply between 2021 and 2022 due to skyrocketing home prices, rising mortgage rates, and tight housing inventory [9] - Since interest rates increased, market activity has stagnated, with homeowners reluctant to sell due to low mortgage rates and potential buyers facing limited inventory and higher borrowing costs [10] Behavioral Patterns - Renters with net worth below the median U.S. house price are found to spend more on credit cards, exert less effort at work, and participate more in cryptocurrency markets compared to homeowners with similar wealth [5] - These behavioral patterns are expected to compound over time, leading to larger wealth gaps between those who continue to pursue homeownership and those who give up [6] Recommendations - The authors of the study suggest implementing a subsidy to assist young renters in their pursuit of homeownership, which would enhance overall well-being more effectively than providing equal amounts to all or targeting only the poorest [8]