Problems faced by young people seeking housing are examined. Detailed information is given for England and implications are drawn for other western European countries. The paper reviews some of the major social trends for youth. Routes out of the parental home are described in terms of demographic data and socioeconomic values. It is shown that young people are now confronting the housing market with fewer resources than in the past. Three sectors of the housing market--private, public, and semi-public--are defined. The cost of home ownership is prohibitive to most young persons and many landlords are reluctant to rent to them. They lose out to other categories of people who are wealthier and considered more stable. The conclusions include the following: (1) young people are victims of economic policies which permit high unemployment; (2) they are victimized by housing policies that are intended to increase home ownership; (3) they are victims because of their age and resultant inability to be eligible for various public housing programs; and (4) age discrimination is at work in many instances. A 20-item list of references is included. (VM)