In its latest Housing Finance report, the trade body said that the desire for home ownership appears to be persisting, with all age groups having a dominant preference for homeownership longer-term.
The research also showed that 74% of adults would like to be homeowners in two years’ time.
The aspiration to own a home outstrips current rates of home ownership especially among the under 35s, but it remains far from clear how people will make the change.
Bob Pannell, CML chief economist, said: “The results clearly show that the British love affair with home ownership is far from over. But achieving the home ownership dream has become more difficult for people, and is likely to remain so, especially for the young.
“We need to ensure that good quality housing is available in a variety of different tenures, and that the growing private rented sector represents an attractive choice for those who do not want, or cannot attain, home ownership.
“However, we also need to recognise that for the overwhelming majority of people, home ownership is still the ultimate goal.”
The CML said that most of those renting privately or sharing with family or friends are under 35.
More than half of such households would like to become homeowners over the short term, but only a third expect it to happen.
