Multifamily is Back; 8 Million More Renters on the Way?

``Griffith, who is vice president of affordable sales and investments at Freddie Mac, pointed out that both vacancy rates and rental rates have improved markedly over the last 12 months. Vacancies are running at 6.6% nationally, down from 8.1% this time last year, and rents rose in last year's fourth quarter for the third quarter in a row... Noting that "a segment of the population was pushed into home ownership when they just weren't ready," he said that there is now a "broad realization" that ownership isn't for everyone. Moreover, he added, multi-family is important to urban revitalization.'' -- Economy begets psychology begets culture begets economy...