I'm gen x (just about) and didn't get onto the housing market till my 30s. I just learned to save, and sacrifice things. I stopped buying stuff, and wasting money on things that I didn't need. Tried not to clock up debts, and was happy to house/flat share for years. It's not easy. It is possible, but the sacrifices are real - but your quality of life can improve over time as you save and learn to make do without the latest and greatest, or shiney cars etc...
Our house has increased by over 80k in the 6 or so years we've been here. There will no doubt be a crash soon - remember lots of people hit negative equity a while back, and caused a lot of people to be out of pocket, and own less than they ever did.
Not saying the housing market is easy, but it's not always rosey and you don't know what those people sacrificed to get their house.
I wonder if I'll ever pay off my mortgage but as long as I'm able to keep paying it then that's all that matters for now.