I also feel bad for people who are choosing what meals to eat and what sacrifices to make, because I've been both of them

Landlords know the risk involved. The rule of thumb is if you can't afford to pay for your property with no tenant, don't get into it. If you play the game there's a great chance you could lose. That's the only rule.

Where would the tenants live? In places they can afford. Probably a lot more multigenerational housing where family wealth (the home) is passed down in the form of a place to live until they plant you instead of being treated like a commodity