[The U.S. Treasury Department proposes new regulations to prohibit large institutional investors from continuing to purchase single-family homes] October 23rd, the U.S. Treasury Department proposed new regulations on Thursday to prohibit large institutional investors who hold large amounts of housing from continuing to purchase single-family homes. It's the latest step in implementing the most controversial provisions of the bipartisan housing bill passed this summer. Under the law, investors who own no less than 350 homes are no longer allowed to buy single-family homes, a ban that will take effect on January 7. The Treasury Department acknowledged in its 96-page proposed rule that market players have limited time to prepare. "Given the short implementation period and the need for market participants to make decisions on home construction, acquisitions, ownership structures, investment arrangements and compliance systems, the Ministry of Finance currently plans to develop the relevant rules in phases," the Ministry of Finance said.