Right to Rent — originated by Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research — would increase the bargaining power and security of homeowners by temporarily changing the rules on foreclosure and allowing homeowners to remain in their homes as renters for a substantial period or time. During this time, homeowners would pay the market rent for the home as determined by an independent assessment.

In Focus

White House Pursues Ways to Boost Economy
The Washington Post, August 3, 2011

Grijalva Reintroduces "Right to Rent" Bill to Let Families Stay in Foreclosed Homes as Renters, Saying "We Can't Afford to Do Nothing"
April 22, 2011

How to Help Homeowners, Without HAMP
The Washington Independent, September 23, 2010

How to Prop up Housing: Rent Your Home
Dean Baker on Fox Business News, August 18, 2010

Could the Right to Rent Stop the Foreclosure Hurricane?
The Nation, June 23, 2010

Reps. Grijalva and Kaptur Introduce Legislation to Allow Homeowners Facing Foreclosure to Remain as Renters

New York Times endorses Right to Rent

Fannie Mae to rent to foreclosed owners

Fannie Mae adopts a "Deed for Lease" program

Sen. Durbin voicing support for Right to Rent at the Center for American Progress (see minute 17:33)

Washington Post column on Right to Rent

New York Times op-ed promoting a version of Right to Rent

Sen. Schumer endorsing Right to Rent

Baseline Scenario post about Right to Rent

Felix Salmon on Right to Rent

Ezra Klein on Right to Rent

Reports

The Gains From Right to Rent in 2010
September 2010, Dean Baker and Hye Jin Rho

The Gains from Right to Rent
July 2009, Dean Baker and Hye Jin Rho

The Right to Rent Plan
July 2009, Dean Baker [updated June 2011]

Blogs

What Political Compromises Could Create Jobs?

Right-to-Rent Would Ease Foreclosure Mess

Right to Rent: Helping Homeowners and the Economy

Op-Eds & Columns

Right to Rent: Will the Obama Administration Finally Fix Housing?
Dean Baker
Truthout, June 27, 2011

Yes, There Are Ways to Reduce Unemployment and Revive the Economy
Mark Weisbrot
Sacramento Bee (CA), February 3, 2011
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services, February 3, 2011
Bellingham Herald (WA), February 3, 2011
Lima News (OH), February 3, 2011
Juneau Empire (AK), February 4, 2011
White Plains Journal News (NY), February 4, 2011
Janesville Gazette (WI), February 5, 2011
Walworth County News (WI), February 5, 2011
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX), February 5, 2011
Times of India, February 6, 2011
Kansas City Star (KS), February 6, 2011
Rock Island Argus (IL), February 6, 2011
Moline Dispatch (IL), February 6, 2011
Arizona Sun (AZ), February 6, 2011
Modesto Bee (CA), February 6, 2011
Denver Post (CO), February 6, 2011
Duluth News Tribune (MN), February 7, 2011
Hanover Evening Sun (PA), February 7, 2011
Youngstown Vindicator (OH), February 9, 2011
Press of Atlantic City (NJ), February 9, 2011
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (PA), February 13, 2011

Obama and the Story of the Great Recession: Rejoinder to Avishai
Dean Baker
TPMCafé, October 28, 2010

Economic Disaster, Krugman and Avishai, and Redefining "Small"
Dean Baker
TPMCafé, October 26, 2010

The Role of Government and the Foreclosure Crisis
Dean Baker
Truthout, September 20, 2010

Events

Hearing on the Saving D.C. Homes from Foreclosure Act of 2010

Press Releases

Right to Rent Legislation Would Slow Growing Rate of Foreclosure
September 22, 2010

New 'Right to Rent' Bill Will Help Millions of American Families Stay in their Homes and Stabilize Communities
April 16, 2010

Testimony

The Successes and Shortcomings of the Homeowner Affordability Modification Program
April 14, 2010, Testimony of Dean Baker before the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity