Americans love the idea of Home Sweet Home. A statement, written more than thirty years ago by a trade association for savings and loans banks, continues to capture this nation’s virtually unconstrained adoration of homeownership:

Even after enduring the worst housing crisis since the Great Depression, homeownership still remains enormously popular among Americans of all ages, races, and incomes.

For decades, U.S. housing policies have reinforced this rhapsodic view of homeownership. Indeed, for almost eighty years, the U.S. government has provided significant subsidies for people who want to rule over their own domain. U.S. leaders staunchly defend these subsidies based on assumptions and beliefs that collectively form what I will call the “Happy Homeownership Narrative.” In the Happy Homeownership Narrative, homeownership brings out the best in people. It makes them more involved as citizens, and it strengthens the moral and economic fiber of the country. Homeowners are viewed as being noble, hardworking, responsible, and financially stable and secure. In stark contrast, renters are viewed as weak and financially vulnerable. In the Narrative, homeownership creates stronger neighborhoods and improves society overall. Every citizen should strive to become a homeowner. Renting, on the other hand, is a parasitic state that people should aspire to flee from as soon as they possibly can.