Constructing new buildings would be contributing to the housing supply. Buying an existing home, so long as it's rented out is yes technically providing housin

Constructing new buildings would be contributing to the housing supply. Buying an existing home, so long as it's rented out is yes technically providing housing supply, but it is unhelpful rent seeking. That big investors would rather buy up existing homes rather than invest in building new ones is a pretty clear sign that the housing system is dysfunctional and requires work on the taxation/regulation side that would encourage more productive use of investor dollars.