White House Proposes Ban on Large Investors Buying Single-Family Homes

The administration aims to restrict institutional investors from purchasing single-family properties.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The White House has begun circulating draft legislative language to ban institutional investors such as Blackstone from purchasing single-family homes. The proposal, which could be included in a larger bipartisan housing bill, defines a 'large institutional investor' as any investment fund, corporation, or entity that controls over 100 single-family homes. The effort shows the administration's seriousness in cutting off big firms from buying up single-family homes, despite concerns from some in the industry that it could reduce access to housing.

Why it matters

Housing affordability has become a major political issue, with lawmakers, particularly on the Left, exploring ways to stop or discourage large institutional investors from purchasing large numbers of single-family homes and renting them out as an investment strategy. Proponents argue that such investors are crowding out homebuyers, while critics say the policy could backfire by making housing more expensive for some.

The details

The draft language would exempt build-to-rent single-family homes. The administration's goal has always been for Congress to pass such a restriction into law, after Trump first announced the proposal earlier this year and later signed an executive order meant to effectuate it in part. There are two separate bipartisan housing bills in Congress that are meant to boost the supply of homes and lower housing prices, and it's unclear whether Trump supports the underlying House and Senate bills.

  • The White House began circulating the draft legislative language on February 20, 2026.
  • Trump first announced the proposal earlier this year and later signed an executive order meant to effectuate it in part.

The players

Blackstone

A major institutional investor that has made headlines for purchasing large numbers of single-family homes and renting them out as an investment strategy.

Trump administration

The current U.S. presidential administration, which is proposing the ban on large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes.

Congress

The U.S. legislative branch, which the White House hopes will include the proposed ban in a larger bipartisan housing bill.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The White House's proposal could be included in either the bipartisan Road to Housing Act in the Senate or the Housing for the 21st Century Act in the House. Congress will need to decide whether to pass such a restriction into law.

The takeaway

The White House's push to ban large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes reflects the growing political focus on housing affordability and the role of big firms in the housing market. While proponents argue it will help homebuyers, critics warn it could backfire and make housing more expensive for some.