Wall Street's Expanding Housing Stock Disadvantages Latino Renters, Buyers

A "for rent" sign outside a Miami residence.Photo byJoe Raedle / Getty Images file

The changing landscape of the housing market across the United States has left many families, like Jessica Moreno's, grappling with unforeseen challenges. Living contentedly in Charlotte, North Carolina, Moreno and her family encountered an abrupt upheaval when new property owners acquired the land where their rented mobile home stood. This change brought about modifications in services coupled with a substantial spike in prices, compelling the family to seek alternative accommodation.

"We had to leave because we couldn't find rent at $300 anywhere," Moreno lamented, emphasizing how corporate property acquisitions often lead to increased rents and service charges, creating an insurmountable barrier for individuals from low-income backgrounds like hers.

Moved by her family's ordeal, Moreno became a community organizer at Action NC, a grassroots group dedicated to addressing issues of inequality and poverty. She advocates for legislative changes that could potentially alleviate the challenges faced by communities affected by corporate ownership in the housing market.

The entry of Wall Street firms into the single-family rental market following the 2008 housing crisis marked a turning point in the real estate landscape. Their influence expanded over time, with corporate landlords significantly impacting various housing sectors, including single-family and multifamily housing, manufactured housing such as mobile homes, affordable housing, and student housing.

By June 2022, institutional investors held 3% of all single-family rentals nationwide, with a striking 20% ownership share in more affordable markets like Charlotte. Corporate landlords, attracted to Sunbelt states due to economic growth and relatively lower housing costs, strategically invest in regions where they anticipate rising demand, enabling them to command higher rents.

However, their investment practices often lead to adverse consequences for tenants. Corporate ownership often results in rent hikes, eviction threats, and added fees for services, pushing vulnerable populations out of their homes. Instances of landlords exploiting tenants without sufficient legal protection are widespread, raising concerns about tenant rights and housing security.

In response to these concerns, legislators have proposed laws to regulate Wall Street's influence in the real estate market. Bills like the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act aim to impose taxes on institutional investors purchasing single-family rentals and restrict government entities from supporting their mortgage activities.

Despite the role played by corporate investments in stabilizing the housing market post-crisis, experts warn of its long-term repercussions. Institutional investors' pursuit of high returns often comes at the expense of tenants, exacerbating housing affordability issues and perpetuating wealth disparities, particularly among marginalized communities.

As the housing crisis persists, initiatives aimed at expanding homeownership, especially among Latino communities, have emerged. Organizations like UnidosUS strive to address the housing shortage and empower Latinos to achieve homeownership goals.

However, for individuals like Stella Inciarte and Jessica Moreno, buying a home in the current market remains a formidable challenge. The scarcity of affordable housing and soaring property prices force prospective homeowners to consider living in distant or less expensive areas, disrupting established communities and personal lives.

The real estate market's complexities underscore the pressing need for comprehensive reforms to protect tenants' rights and ensure equitable access to housing for all Americans, regardless of income or background.