Both.
How many of those houses were paid off by union workers and non-union workers? Blue-collar workers, that so many seem to despise on this forum, have the same goals and desires as white collar workers. The want to be able to raise a family and enjoy life. Yet, when a blue-collar guy gets a raise its a bad thing. If a CEO or upper management guy gets millions that's justified.
There is a clear bias against blue collar workers; they are labeled as beer swilling barbarians who don't know their ass from their elbow.
While anyone who went to college and can claim to be white collar is held up in high regard.
Home ownership, which is at an all time high, is good if the houses are paid off. At the same time we know that American's savings rate is about 1% and they are mortgaged to the hilt much like the feds. It can't be sustained over the long run especially if there is some world-wide event like a major war.
If that happens and our economy recedes, home ownership will become the purview of the banks or rather Fannie Mae and Mac. Who will prop them up if the housing bubble bursts?
The middle class will disappear and those homes that aren't paid off will become property of the government.