get a foot on the ladder

get a foot on the ladder は文字通りはしごに足をかけるです。足がかりをつかむ、何かの一歩を踏み出すと言う意味です。a foot の部分はよく省略されます。0:44 somethings needs to be done to help young people get (a foot) onto the property ladder. 若い世代がこの地で家を買えるように何らかの対策を講じなければいけないと、ここの市長は話す。

Locals frozen out of Cornwall's red hot housing market
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgD9CdSrveQ  0:26 there's a concern they'll never be able to get a foot onto the property ladder.
London: Rising Rents in the city / Generation Rent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDRuoQno8QI  3:00 and the young population that feel they may never get (a foot) on the housing ladder. 持ち家は不可能と考えている若い世代。
100,000 new starter homes: Will this help young people buy a house? | Channel 4 News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEibIT7w-9Y  4:25 to get (a foot) on the job ladder.社会人の一員としての一歩を踏み出す
Green shoots in Middlesbrough?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlTvxVnKMFo  0:34 Jonathan Pickles and Rebecca Burns are typical of those trying to get a foot on the property ladder.
UK first time home buyers bitching about prices (31May11)

参考リンク
http://bridge-english.blogspot.jp/2010/11/ashigakari.html  足がかりをつかむを英語でなんと言うか？