>The homeownership rate is the proportion of households that is owner-occupied. The main cause for the increase since 1900 was the invention of the mortgage, w

>The homeownership rate is the proportion of households that is owner-occupied. The main cause for the increase since 1900 was the invention of the mortgage, which did not really exist until about 1950. Loans existed, but the exact mortgage structure is a modern invention. It increased home ownership rates but also housing costs due to higher demand.