Ever considered that not everyone wants to be a homeowner? It's not all a conspiracy.

I'm finally debt free BECAUSE I stopped trying to own a home (the "American dream"), which was killing me with artificially-inflated property valuation, ever-rising tax rates on that valuation, and unpredictable, major system repairs/replacements (roof, air conditioner, plumbing, etc).

Now that I rent, my housing costs every month are absolutely predictable, my stress level is zero, I have no debt, and I have savings.