Why are America's suburbs getting poorer?

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Rents, even in the suburbs, are rising and many of the best rental homes in suburban Atlanta are owned by private equity firms. Many of these firms swooped into the market during the recession, buying up foreclosed homes and fixing them up for renters. These houses are typically well-maintained, but come with higher monthly rents and higher credit requirements.

These are standards many in the region are struggling to meet. It's forced some to take up long-term residence in local motels that don't check credit and others to move several generations of a family into one home.