Biden admin reportedly mulling 'administrative actions' to interfere in the rental housing industry

We’re still not exactly sure what the status is of Joe Biden’s unconstitutional student loan forgiveness plan. It’s kind of in limbo, stuck in the courts.

Not to worry, though. Apparently the Biden administration has another plan of questionable constitutional validity in the works.

And it will no doubt be sold to the American public as a way to help people who are struggling to pay their bills in Joe Biden’s marvelous booming economy:

White House expected to roll out new rules "promoting grace periods for late rents and the right to counsel for tenants facing eviction," per @KatyODonnell_https://t.co/QQBnefluME

— Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) January 24, 2023

More from Politico:

The industry is bracing for “some pretty intense regulation,” said Jerry Howard, CEO of the National Association of Home Builders, whose members include landlords. “They need to be very cautious about what they’re doing,” said Howard, who was one of a handful of industry representatives at a November White House meeting on tenant protections. “There’s a real chance of creating a problem that doesn’t exist.”

With a possible recession looming, the Biden administration will be looking for ways to provide relief to cash-strapped Americans suffering from a higher cost of living. Since the U.S. House is now under Republican control, the kind of sweeping economic legislation enacted during the last two years is off the table.

…

“People can’t afford to live,” said Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), who spearheaded a letter last week with Warren calling on President Joe Biden to issue an executive action limiting rent hikes in properties backed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development or Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-controlled mortgage financiers. “We want to push the president as far as possible to lighten the burden of rent on everyday people.”

…

The White House declined to comment on the specifics of potential new regulations, pointing to a statement it released last week in response to the letter from Democrats.

“We are exploring a broad set of administrative actions that further our commitment to ensuring a fair and affordable market for renters across the nation,” spokesperson Robyn Patterson said. “We look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers to strengthen tenant protections and improve rental affordability.”

Any time you hear someone in the Biden administration use the words “broad set of administrative actions,” the hairs on the back of your neck should be standing straight up, because what’s to follow cannot be good.

He can't stop himself from taking unConstitutional actions. https://t.co/0Er2yKOhSm

— Hank Honkitude (@posting_ls) January 25, 2023

He hasn’t so far, at least.

This will go over as well as the eviction moratorium https://t.co/oRZHcTkvbA

— Going Off the Grid Nero (@Adventure_Nero) January 25, 2023

So … not well.

Rip to rental prices throughout the country. https://t.co/XKOjLJjfSM

— GOP needs to get its act together (@CommonM24045307) January 25, 2023

GP This is such a horrible idea.

It'll cause rents to skyrocket as landlords price in the cost of even further delayed evictions and delayed payments.

It'll also cause fewer people to be able to find housing in the first place as landlords will require higher credit scores. https://t.co/bu7XFElY2E

— The Gormogons (@Gormogons) January 25, 2023

Do you know what will happen? Landlords will start screening renters even harder, icing out low-income people. Your government at work. https://t.co/K6xU8VmTMI

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 25, 2023

At “work.” This is what they’re being paid to do. We should be able to fire them. Their grace period should’ve run out a long time ago.

As with everything this admin does, 5th circuit will take care of this quickly. Federal government has absolutely zero power to impose "grace periods" for rent. https://t.co/y8GBrKR7pe

— Latinx Adjacent Doctor PhD (@TonerousHyus) January 25, 2023

Zero. Point. Zero.