Georgia political candidates across both major parties are finding common ground on a critical issue for many residents: addressing the rising influence of corporate-owned housing. As housing affordability remains a top concern for voters, lawmakers are increasingly looking at institutional investors as a key factor in rising costs across the state.
Housing represents the largest expense for most Americans, accounting for approximately 33% of the average consumer's annual spending, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While increased costs for labor and materials and strict zoning laws contribute to rising prices, the role of institutional investors in Georgia’s housing market is also a significant factor. A 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office revealed that a quarter of all single-family rental homes in Atlanta were owned by institutional investors, a trend that studies suggest may have contributed to increased rent and home prices.
Taylor Shelton, an associate professor of geography at Georgia State University who studies corporate-owned housing, characterized Atlanta as "the epicenter of corporate investment in housing nationwide." He noted that the large share of the housing market controlled by these companies makes it "impossible to ignore" the issue in Atlanta. Shelton also highlighted that large corporations often view housing solely as a financial investment, which can lead to neglecting "the human concerns of their residents."
With November elections approaching, candidates at various levels of government are proposing actions to combat the spread of corporate-owned housing. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat running for re-election, launched an investigation into the issue last year and voted to pass a bipartisan housing bill. This legislation caps the number of single-family homes an institutional investor can own at 350. Republican Congressman Mike Collins also voted in favor of this bipartisan bill.
In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms has emphasized the necessity of limits on corporate-owned housing. Her opponent, Republican Rick Jackson, indicated he would defer regulation of corporate-owned housing to the federal government. Jackson instead proposes freezing property taxes and eliminating regulations he asserts are driving up the cost of home construction and ownership.
The lieutenant governor's race also shows differing approaches but a shared concern. Democratic nominee Josh McLaurin, a state senator from Sandy Springs, has pledged to address restrictive zoning laws that he says hinder the construction of more affordable housing types like smaller houses, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units. McLaurin stated he is "willing to pursue every available option" to limit the presence of corporate-owned housing in Georgia, citing firsthand experience with constituent issues. His Republican counterpart, Sen. Greg Dolezal of Cumming, aims to reduce building and permitting regulations to make housing development easier and cheaper, as well as expand a state-run program offering financing options for first-time homebuyers. Both McLaurin and Dolezal have committed to tackling corporate-owned housing. During the 2026 legislative session, Senator Dolezal introduced a bill designed to prevent institutional investors from owning more than 500 single-family homes and to ban international private investors from acquiring rental property. This bill successfully passed the Senate with a 49-3 vote but did not proceed to a vote in the House. Dolezal emphasized that the bill was an important step in raising awareness, noting a "universal recognition of the need to address that" issue.
Experts suggest that strengthening landlord-tenant protections in Georgia may be a crucial part of the solution. Shelton explained that Atlanta's status as a hub for corporate ownership is partly due to fewer protections for residents compared to other states. He noted that large corporations can "act with almost total impunity" in practices such as raising rents and fees, neglecting maintenance, and frequently filing for eviction as a business model, actions which he said "are really not possible in many other parts of the country."
Natallie Keiser, executive director of HouseATL, expressed disappointment that housing issues have not been a more prominent campaign topic this year. She referenced a 2025 survey from the Atlanta Regional Commission where a plurality of residents identified housing affordability as Atlanta’s biggest issue, with roughly 35% attributing affordability problems to investors purchasing rental housing. Keiser highlighted that tenant protections are often absent from candidates’ platforms, stating that institutional investors are drawn to Georgia not only by market growth but also by "very weak tenant protections." She suggested that allowing local municipalities to establish rental registries and requiring landlords to disclose all fees and rental costs upfront could help address the issue, promoting "truth in advertising around fee transparency."
