Tbilisi: One of the pressing issues facing the global community today is the lack of affordable housing for young people, a challenge highlighted by Zaklina Grgic, a geography and environmental design specialist at the University of Georgia. Speaking at the session titled 'Youth Housing Pathways in the Western Balkans: Perspectives for Socially Sustainable Cities' during WUF13, Grgic emphasized the widespread nature of this issue, as reported by APA.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Grgic pointed out that the shortage of affordable housing is not only a significant challenge in Europe but also in many other regions worldwide. The difficulty in finding affordable housing is closely linked to the availability of economic opportunities, which often forces young individuals to remain in their family homes for extended periods. Grgic stressed that this matter is not just a concern for the present but poses implications for the long-term future.

She further explained that the sustainable cities and communities approach aims to tackle these housing issues. The upcoming studies will focus on understanding the housing search process for young people aged 18-30, identifying the obstacles they encounter, and uncovering other related problems. The findings will then be used to inform policymakers on building more socially sustainable cities, with a central focus on the younger population.