Corporate landlords aren't the real villain

The 21st Century Road to Housing Act seeks to improve affordability by restricting institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, yet these corporations currently own less than one percent of the national market. While political figures across the spectrum blame corporate landlords for rising costs, the primary drivers of high prices remain low interest rates and insufficient construction. Experts like Stephen Billings and Laurie Goodman observe that institutional investors often increase rental supply by renovating distressed properties and financing "build-to-rent" communities. The proposed legislation could backfire by mandating that investors sell new builds within seven years, a move likely to stifle new construction and reduce housing availability. Although some research links corporate ownership to marginal increases in neighborhood crime, these rental options provide low-income families essential access to high-opportunity school districts. Ultimately, evidence suggests that banning large-scale investors may worsen the housing crisis by further constraining the supply of available homes.