Democracy empowers a majority, or sometimes a plurality. It is not necessarily the case that whatever that bloc of voters wants respects the rights and interests of other citizens. Hence the possibility of a 'tyranny of the majority'.
It may be, as in this case, that homeowners actively try to protect their asset by excluding non-homeowners from the market, perhaps by obstructing the construction of new houses, or by supporting the inflation of house prices. Is that a good situation just because it is sanctioned by a majority?
In liberal societies, there are side-constraints on what a demos can sanction - it cannot, for example, curtail the free speech of individuals. There is no reason why that should not be the case with respect to certain basic means of life, like housing.
It may be, as in this case, that homeowners actively try to protect their asset by excluding non-homeowners from the market, perhaps by obstructing the construction of new houses, or by supporting the inflation of house prices. Is that a good situation just because it is sanctioned by a majority?
In liberal societies, there are side-constraints on what a demos can sanction - it cannot, for example, curtail the free speech of individuals. There is no reason why that should not be the case with respect to certain basic means of life, like housing.