I don't see it as virtue signaling. The opposite almost: doing what you suggest would help one person out (and unfair - how is that person selected?). As far a

I don't see it as virtue signaling. The opposite almost: doing what you suggest would help one person out (and unfair - how is that person selected?). As far as helping the bigger problem, it's a drop in the bucket and thus 99% for the feeling of righteousness. Besides, he didn't say his houses were empty or borderline slums. He's using his intelligence, capital, and capacity to take on risk and housing people.