White House Announces Policies Aimed at Protecting Renters

The administration acknowledges its limited powers in solving the nation’s housing affordability crisis, but says new actions will examine unfair rental practices and recommend policies to state and local governments.

2 minute read

January 25, 2023, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of calendar on day 1 of month with "Pay Rent" written in red marker

Andrey_Popov / "Rent due"

New federal actions announced today aim to help struggling renters as housing costs for tenant households continue to rise and the nation faces a massive shortage of as many as 5 million homes. As Rachel Siegel reports in the Washington Post, the administration says the new policies are not simply a response to recent spikes in rents, but are designed to address the broader problem of housing affordability and fair housing.

The new policies include directives for several federal agencies to assess instances of unfair rental practices and a template for a Renters Bill of Rights that is not tied to any mandates. According to Siegel, “much of Biden’s plans rely on state and local governments, as well as housing providers around the nation, to join in.”

But the plan has buy-in from federal agencies, which are tasked with understanding unfair rental practices and other issues that disadvantage renters. “The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will collect information exploring unfair practices in the rental market,” while other federal agencies including the Justice Department will examine competition issues in the rental market.

The actions the administration can take are limited, Siegel points out. According to organizer Tara Raghuveer, “The White House announcement introduces potential for agency-level action but falls short of issuing directives to regulate rent and address consolidation of the rental market.” For now, housing policy remains largely a state and local issue.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Spiral ramp on exterior of parking garage in downtown Spokane, Washington.

Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill

A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.

15 minutes ago - OPB

Missouri state capitol dome in Jefferson City, MO.

Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users

A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.

1 hour ago - Missouri Independent

Los Angeles, California

Op-Ed: Looking for Efficiency? Fund Intercity Buses

Much less expensive than rail, intercity buses serve millions of Americans every year, but public subsidies are lacking.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive