A Nigerian couple living in the United Kingdom have spoken of the financial strain caused by Brighton’s soaring housing costs, saying the city’s rent crisis has forced many of their friends to move away while leaving their own family trapped in a home they have outgrown.
Kelechi and Ikenna Ajiero live with their three children in a two bedroom flat in central Brighton. Although they love the city and want to continue raising their family there, they say renting a larger home has become far too expensive.
Ikenna said many people they know have already left Brighton because they could no longer afford to live there.
“I feel sad that most of my friends have left Brighton because of the high cost of living, particularly housing that is no longer affordable,” he said.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the average private rent in Brighton and Hove was almost £400 higher than the South East average in May 2026.
The Ajiero family currently pay £1,300 a month in rent, which is below the city’s average rent of £1,523 for a two bedroom home. Even so, Ikenna said housing costs consume about 55 per cent of their household income.
“It is not easy to keep up with it,” he said. “We love Brighton and want to stay here, but it comes at a cost.”
Kelechi, who works in social care, said the family’s flat is no longer suitable for their growing children.
“We have actually outgrown this apartment and need more space for the kids,” she said. “But when you look at renting a bigger house, the prices are something else.”
Ikenna, a lecturer in the built environment at the University of Brighton, believes increasing the supply of affordable and social housing is the only long term solution to the city’s housing crisis.
The UK Government says it is investing £39 billion in social and affordable housing to help more people, including key workers, secure suitable homes.
Campaigners are also urging ministers to redevelop the Brighton General Hospital site into affordable housing. Earlier this month they wrote to the Housing Secretary, arguing that the land should be used to provide homes that local people can afford.
Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven MP Chris Ward described affordable housing as the city’s biggest challenge, saying more homes must be built with local people placed ahead of profit.
Brighton and Hove City Council’s deputy leader, Jacob Taylor, also acknowledged that the city is facing a severe housing crisis.
