4: Addressing the Rental Housing Crisis: Policies and Prospects

We have documented over the last two chapters the extent of the financialization of human shelter and shelter grabbing in the Sunbelt city of Jacksonville, Florida, and its impact on the material and living conditions of the working-class population that depends on rental housing and landlords. In this last chapter, we will examine and critically assess the wide range of affordable housing policies and proposals locally, in the state, and beyond. We will propose some alternative approaches and conclude by identifying what we believe is the “meta-explanation” for the affordable housing and tenant crisis in the United States and the associated policy implication.