Rent trouble's spiralling problem for housing? (7)
I believe the answer is:
tornado
'spiralling problem for housing?' is the definition.
(a tornado might destroy houses)
'rent trouble's' is the wordplay.
'rent' becomes 'torn' (synonyms).
'trouble' becomes 'ado' (both can mean bother or commotion).
'torn'+'ado'='TORNADO'
(Other definitions for tornado that I've seen before include "Donator of fierce wind" , "threat" , "It's a big blow" , "Major storm" , "Destructive weather" .)