Homeownership is "in crisis" in the UK, with owner-occupation falling to its lowest level since 1988, according to a report published by lobby group the HomeOwners Alliance. The HOA says the owner-occupation rate peaked at 69.7% in the UK in 2002, falling to a current 64.7%. That rate is the 17th highest among the 27 EU countries, and lower than that of Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy and Romania. There are now about 5 million households locked out of the property market as a result of housing shortages and high house prices. Having been forced into the rental market, sky-high rents mean they are unable to save the funds ... (full story)