Buying a home used to be normal—now it feels like winning the lottery.
Boomers didn’t set out to ruin housing for everyone else, but the combination of timing, policy influence, and a heavy dose of “I got mine” thinking helped create a landscape where younger generations are now priced out, boxed in, or forced to rent forever. It wasn’t just about luck—though they had plenty of that, too. Boomers came of age when wages could actually keep up with housing costs, and many have spent decades defending systems that kept those advantages locked in.
What’s surprising isn’t just how good they had it—but how hard they’ve fought to keep it that way, even as the world changed. Younger generations are dealing with inflated prices, limited inventory, and a housing market that seems rigged against them. And while not every Boomer is hoarding wealth or blocking development, the cumulative effect of their decisions—and inaction—has reshaped the American dream into something most people can’t even touch. Here are 11 ways Boomers unintentionally (or very intentionally) helped crush younger generations’ shot at owning a home.
1. They bought homes when prices were still sane.
Boomers entered the housing market when homes were affordable compared to wages, according to Natasha Innes at The Burrow. In the 1970s and 1980s, it wasn’t unheard of to buy a house on a single income, often without needing a massive down payment. Starter homes were actually available and weren’t competing with hedge funds or flippers. For many Boomers, homeownership happened early and relatively easily.
That early start gave them decades to build equity and ride the wave of appreciation. Now, younger buyers face a market where homes have ballooned in price while wages have barely budged. The idea of buying a house in your 20s feels like fantasy—not because younger people are irresponsible, but because the math just doesn’t work anymore. Boomers got in at the ground floor, and now they own the whole building.
2. They blocked new housing in their neighborhoods.
Boomers became the original NIMBYs—“Not In My Backyard”—and it’s had a lasting impact. As they aged into wealthier, more stable neighborhoods, many fought tooth and nail to stop new housing developments. They opposed apartment buildings, affordable housing units, and higher-density zoning, claiming it would “ruin the character” of their neighborhoods.
What it really did was choke supply. With fewer homes being built, demand surged and prices skyrocketed. Boomers protected their home values, but at the expense of making housing accessible for the generations coming up behind them. Now cities are packed, rents are wild, and entry-level homes are almost mythical—all thanks to decades of saying no to change, as reported by Mimi Kirk at Bloomberg.
3. They treated houses like investment portfolios.
Instead of seeing a home as a place to live, Boomers started treating theirs like financial assets, as stated by the authors at Ocala. As property values rose, many leaned into the idea of housing as a wealth-building tool rather than a basic human need. Real estate flipped from shelter to speculation, and the market followed.
This mindset shifted how society talks about housing. It’s no longer just about having a roof over your head—it’s about “maximizing return” and “riding the market.” Boomers encouraged that trend and benefited immensely, but the result is a generation of younger people competing not just with other families but with investors and flippers hoping to turn a profit.
4. They refinanced, cashed out, and bought second homes.
As home values soared, Boomers tapped into that equity again and again. Many refinanced at low rates, cashed out for renovations or vacations, or bought investment properties and vacation homes. It worked out great for them—but it also pulled more housing off the market for people who just need one place to live.
By turning homes into leverage tools, they added pressure to a market already stretched thin. Second homes sit vacant much of the year while first-time buyers get priced out entirely. These financial moves may have made sense for individuals, but collectively, they helped lock up housing in ways that ripple through generations.
5. They resisted efforts to make housing more inclusive.
As cities tried to build more affordable or mixed-income housing, Boomers were often the ones organizing against it. They pushed for zoning rules that favored single-family homes, opposed multifamily developments, and lobbied for policies that kept housing exclusive. Their goal was to “protect property values,” but the result was neighborhoods that were legally and economically walled off.
Younger generations, especially those from marginalized communities, have paid the price. These outdated zoning laws and exclusionary practices made it harder to access good schools, decent infrastructure, and safe environments. And even now, many Boomers are still fighting efforts to undo that damage, clinging to policies that serve the few at the cost of the many.
6. They cheered on low property taxes that gutted public services.
Boomers love to talk about the good schools and nice parks they enjoyed growing up—but many also voted for tax cuts that slowly dismantled the systems that made those things possible. Keeping property taxes low became a priority, even if it meant defunding the very services that make neighborhoods livable and schools functional.
Younger generations are stuck with the fallout: underfunded schools, crumbling infrastructure, and a shrinking public safety net. Meanwhile, Boomers continue to benefit from tax breaks like Prop 13 in California, which caps their property taxes while new buyers pay exponentially more for the same services. The result? A system where new homeowners pay into a pot that’s already been drained.
7. They built wealth but didn’t want to share the tools.
Many Boomers benefited from policies like the GI Bill, union jobs, and subsidized college education that helped them buy homes and build wealth. But instead of pushing to expand those tools for future generations, a lot of them slammed the door shut. They shrugged off student debt, called millennials lazy, and voted for leaders who cut social programs instead of strengthening them.
The ladder they climbed was kicked away just as others reached for it. Now, younger people are working multiple jobs, drowning in debt, and trying to buy homes in a system that’s stacked against them. And still, the narrative remains that if they just “worked harder,” they’d get the same results. But the game changed—Boomers just refuse to admit it.
8. They kept voting for policies that inflate the market.
Boomers have supported political leaders who protect homeowner interests at the expense of renters or first-time buyers. Mortgage interest deductions, capital gains exclusions, and zoning protections have been preserved because they benefit existing homeowners the most. These policies encourage speculation and reward wealth over need.
Even when housing crises hit, solutions often focus on “stabilizing the market” rather than making it more accessible. Boomers, many of whom vote in higher numbers, helped steer that focus toward protecting their assets. The result is a housing market where keeping prices high is seen as success—even if it shuts out the next generation completely.
9. They romanticized a version of adulthood that no longer exists.
Boomers often measure success by milestones like owning a home, getting married, and settling down by your early 30s. But that template doesn’t fit the current reality. Still, many Boomers cling to it and judge younger generations through that outdated lens. If you’re not a homeowner by a certain age, something must be wrong with you—not the system.
This kind of thinking adds shame and pressure to a situation already burdened by real financial barriers. Instead of listening or acknowledging how things have changed, some Boomers lean into generational blame. They expect Gen Z and Millennials to recreate a life that’s no longer structurally possible. That pressure is not just tone-deaf—it’s harmful.
10. They dominated the narrative around “smart investing.”
Boomers love to share stories about how they bought their house for $80,000 and now it’s worth ten times that. They see it as proof of good decision-making, not a lucky stroke of timing. They promote homeownership as the best financial move you can make—ignoring the fact that the entry price has skyrocketed far beyond what many can afford.
This advice might’ve worked once, but repeating it now feels disconnected. Younger generations are trying to save in a world with higher rent, lower wages, and fewer benefits. Boomers’ insistence that housing is still the golden ticket often overlooks the barriers in place. It’s not just about advice—it’s about refusing to acknowledge that the rules changed.
11. They voted in ways that protected their comfort over others’ needs.
At every stage of life, Boomers have had the numbers to shape policy—and they often used that power to protect their own economic security. Even when housing shortages, homelessness, or inequality became obvious problems, many still prioritized low taxes, quiet streets, and rising home values. They didn’t always vote for cruelty, but they often voted for comfort.
That comfort has come at a cost. It’s created a housing ecosystem where stability is hoarded by the few while the many scramble for scraps. And as Boomers age into retirement and pass their homes down to their children, the gap continues to widen. For younger generations, the dream of homeownership isn’t just fading—it’s being actively kept out of reach.