The bar chart illustrates the proportions of households living in owned and rented accommodation in England and Wales over a period spanning from 1918 to 2011. Overall, it is evident that the early 20th century saw a strong preference for rented housing, which steadily declined as home ownership gained significant popularity. This resulted in a complete reversal of the dominant housing type by the end of the period. In 1918, a substantial majority of households, approximately 77%, lived in rented accommodation, while only about 23% owned their homes. This stark contrast continued through 1939 and 1953, with rented housing consistently accounting for roughly two-thirds of all households. However, from 1961 onwards, the percentage of households renting began a more rapid descent, falling from just under 60% to around 50% by 1971. Conversely, the proportion of households in owned accommodation experienced a reciprocal trend. After remaining relatively low in the first half of the century, home ownership steadily rose, reaching 41% in 1961. It then equalled rented accommodation at 50% in 1971, marking a significant turning point. By 1981, owned homes became the predominant category, accounting for 60% of households, a figure that peaked at 69% in 2001. Although there was a slight dip to 64% by 2011, owned accommodation remained significantly higher than rented properties, which stood at 36% in the same year, showing a small recovery from its lowest point.
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