Just to clarify, it was MLB that announced they would provide housing for 'some' of the minor leaguers. I assume it's the Owners who agreed to this and are paying for it and not MLB correct? Seems a bit unlikely that all Owner agreed to the hassle of becoming landlords for all these players - but I guess we'll see.
Apparently MLB expected the PA to request this in the upcoming CBA negotiations, and, although I can't imagine it was too high on the list, MLB decided to jump ahead of this and announce they would provide it ahead of those negotiations it can't be used as leverage.