Many are basically small private businesses. They got mortgages on the property as well as their own house that they live in. They are counting on those rent payments to pay all of those mortgages. Just like those that are renting from them they often don't have much buffer saved up and hold a lot of debt. Your so-called evil landlords are often just as desperate as your perception of the renters. In some cases ... more so. A renter may be able to hold on to their money and move into a roommate situation somewhere and save money. A owner is committed to the agreement they made with their bank several years ago.

Also... many of these landlords have day jobs. Many lost those day jobs like the renters you are sympathizing with. Not that there is anything wrong with sympathizing with the renters, but my point is that many of the landlord might have earned a little sympathy as well.