April 10, 2026
Build-to-Rent (BTR) communities are a critical part of America's single-family rental (SFR) market, yet they're often misunderstood. As Congress debates restrictions on institutional investors, NRHC CEO Adrianne Todman explains why these limits could backfire—reducing rental housing production, affordable housing, and long-term community benefits.
BTR adds over 40,000 new rental homes annually, creating safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and providing families with flexible housing options. Unlike misconceptions, BTR doesn't take homes from first-time buyers; it expands housing supply in high-demand markets, giving families access to better schools, jobs, and communities.
Todman emphasizes a hybrid approach: policies should support, not restrict, professional single-family rental operators. Investor restrictions risk eliminating thousands of SFR homes each year, slowing growth, and limiting opportunities for working families.
The takeaway: BTR and SFR communities aren't just shaping the future—they're delivering results today. To tackle the nation's housing shortage, policymakers must recognize the sector's role and remove barriers that limit new, professionally managed single-family rental homes.
Source: NRHC
