> [...] but, being as they are, for most people in most Western jurisdictions the rules favor homeowners.

Alas, no, not necessarily. There are feedback effects. The rules favouring owner-occupied housing mostly drive up the demand for that, and if you don't allow supply, then all you get is higher prices, that those would-be homeowners have to pay.

But in any case: my point is that it's down to circumstances which path is better. It's not an automatic 'home-ownership is always better'.