In the Netherlands we have a shortage of affordable housing. Especially in urban areas, especially housing in the price ranges affordable for young people and middle and low incomes. This is pretty much a constant, of course now that the economy is doing well and the house prices are rising again, after the 2008 crises, it is even more true. A couple of years ago - at a period in time when affordable housing was a scarce but real estate prices were not going through the roof - our then Minister for Housing was on television in Singapore asking investors to come buy ('invest in') Dutch real estate.
Here is a clip in Dutch, shown in a late-night show: "Starters op de woningmarkt - Zondag met Lubach (S09)"
Why? Could there ever be any benefit for citizens when investors buy existing real estate? They are not building new houses. Could there ever be any benefit in a situation where affordable housing is already scarce?