April 20, 2026
A recent study from Virginia Tech highlights the growing connection between housing availability and student success. In the years following the 2009 Great Recession, a significant increase in single-family rental homes—driven by investor activity—created new opportunities for families to move into neighborhoods with higher-performing schools. This shift has been linked to measurable improvements in student academic outcomes, particularly among economically disadvantaged households.
Between 2007 and 2016, the supply of single-family rental homes increased by nearly 30%, offering families a more flexible and accessible pathway to better school systems without requiring homeownership. According to the study, students who relocated to these rental homes in stronger school districts experienced notable gains in standardized test scores, underscoring the importance of school environments in shaping academic success.
The research, conducted by Virginia Tech's Tom Mayock in collaboration with Kelly Vosters of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, analyzed nearly 44,000 student moves by combining education and housing data. The findings reinforce the idea that housing is not just a place to live, but a critical gateway to educational opportunity and long-term economic mobility.
As the single-family rental market continues to grow, it is playing an increasingly important role in expanding access to high-quality education. By providing more families with the ability to live in high-performing school districts, single-family rentals are helping to reduce long-standing barriers and promote greater educational equity across income levels.
Source: Virginia Tech News
