Right to Rent

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Right to Rent

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

Clinton: "No Big One Silver Bullet"
NBC Nightly News, November 7, 2011

Bank of America Tests Right to Rent
Statement by Dean Baker, March 23, 2012

Dean Baker and Jared Berstein on Right to Rent
On the Economy, March 24, 2012

"Right-to-Rent": A Simple, Sensible Idea That Dysfunctional Washington Is More Than Happy to Let Die
The Huffington Post, November 11, 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

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

New York Times endorses Right to Rent

Fannie Mae to rent to foreclosed owners

Sen. Schumer endorsing 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

CEPR News March 2012

What Political Compromises Could Create Jobs?

Third Time's the Charm? Right to Rent Reintroduced in Congress

Right-to-Rent Would Ease Foreclosure Mess

Right to Rent: Let's Get It Done

More >

Op-Eds & Columns

Bank of America Shows Fannie Mae How to Build a Better Mouse Trap
Eileen Appelbaum
Economic Intelligence (U.S. News & World Report), March 23, 2012

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