There seems to be an underlying thought in many answers here, something like "the markets should be allowed to function". This is a very naive idea. The "marke

There seems to be an underlying thought in many answers here, something like "the markets should be allowed to function". This is a very naive idea. The "market" exists only as a system protected by the state security apparatus. The state prohibits poor people to randomly capture property from rich people, in effect protecting landlords with the backing of violence. What do the poor get in return? Surely they must receive something to opt into the social contract? In general, that "something" is welfare. THAT is why welfare for poor renters is important, in the form of rent control or subsidies or whatever else they demand. A market propped up on the spectre of state violence is not "free".