Single-family rentals are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. housing market—and they're not going away anytime soon, a new study suggests.

A new study from UC Berkeley's Terner Center for Housing Innovation explores the drivers behind the rise of single-family home rentals, and makes policy recommendations to aid this fast-growing group of tenants.
According to the paper, both market conditions and lifestyle preferences are funneling renters into houses rather than apartment buildings. "A boom in single-family home construction in the early 2000s followed by the recession and foreclosure crisis positioned many families with a need to rent, and many formerly-owned homes with a need for occupants," the authors' summary reads. At the same time, "single-family rental homes also serve as a good option for families seeking the amenities of a detached home in a suburban neighborhood, but without the commitment or barriers associated with ownership."
Still, the majority of renters in single-family houses hope to become homeowners. And they face the same affordability challenges as other renters nationwide, as well as challenges unique to single-family properties. The report suggests renter's tax credits and lease-to-own models could alleviate some of these difficulties.
FULL STORY: Renting the Dream: The Rise of Single-Family Rentals

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City of Malibu
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Strategic Economics Inc
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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City of Lomita
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