> when being a landlord became such a terrible evil.
It's not being evil per se, but being an economic leech of sorts. The only reason people need to rent is because of the requirements to own (down payments, emergency funds to cover your mortgage in tough times so you don't lose your equity). Its an arbitrage between someone on financially sound footing versus someone not so.
Disclaimer: My family has a landlord or two in it. I make my disdain for what they do known. If I had Facebook money, I'd create a B Corp to provide housing to people that gave them a non-transferable equity stake, co-op style. A small amount would be "off the top" for management of the organization and for upkeep of the properties. I would make the org fully transparent ("Buffer Style") and ruthlessly accountable.