Recent Trends in Renter Financial Security and Homebuying Intentions

This report examines renters' ability to make housing payments, the coping mechanisms they use to make ends meet, and their plans to transition to homeownership in the near future. Compared with one year ago, more renter respondents have managed to make their rent payments on time and in full. However, a greater share of renters report paying less - or even skipping - other debts or monthly bills, and a greater share reported cutting back spending. More renters reported a decline in their sense of financial security over the last year, and fewer reported planning to take out a mortgage in the next six months - in other words, to become homeowners. The share of respondents planning to take out mortgages fell from around 15 percent of respondents in January 2025 to 6.4 percent in January 2026. Declines were particularly acute among young adults (aged 18-35), those with children, those owning stock, and those with higher incomes.