Because you're owning a home as an investment property while not living in it? it doesn't matter if you rent it cheaply, it's one less house available to purchase and there's a finite amount of land and houses.
landlords drive up housing costs? try the pyramid scheme we call our economy. your scrutiny is severely misguided. i could care less what anyone thinks of me choosing to keep and rent the house i moved out of. work 60 to 80 hours a week like everyone else or go buy a tiny house in the woods and find happiness