There exists a misconception that rental housing owners enjoy large margins and can continue operating in the absence of rent payments, and with so much discussion around rents during COVID-19, the National Apartment Association (NAA) has released resources that help explain the breakdown of $1 of rent.

Because education is an effective way to counter harmful public policy and negative industry stereotypes, NAA offers this explanatory video and companion infographic breaking down a dollar of rent into its component parts.

The apartment industry must help society understand the benefits of rent payments for all Americans, whether or not they reside in rental housing.

From supporting 17.5 million jobs to the dollars reinvested into apartment communities to ensure quality living for more than 40 million residents, and through paying property taxes that finance schools, emergency services and other local needs to investor returns that include public pensions and 401(k)s, a rent payment is much more important than one might otherwise realize.