No, it's like saying that when someone has an illiquid asset theoretically worth $1 million but not actually capable of being traded for cash, it is unfair to t

No, it's like saying that when someone has an illiquid asset theoretically worth $1 million but not actually capable of being traded for cash, it is unfair to take away their food stamps and leave them with no way to buy food. The general idea is that it is impossible to trade in the value of your house for any replacement for 'spend my retirement in the area I spent my working life in', because the other houses that fulfil that requirement will also have appreciated in value. Edit: I mean, even actual food stamps don't make you sell your house to qualify.