Amanda Claypool, an excellent article.

There are always solutions.

We can knock the investment and protection of savings out of housing (there are ways to invest and save today that most folk can access). It is achieved by eliminating ALL subsidies such as federally underwritten loans, tax deductions on interest paid, and SALT. Essentially this would deter the hoarding of square footage way in excess of actual use. That may loosen the protectiveness aspect of idle space.

Design can play a part in making less square footage sexy. Kind of what Tesla did for electric cars (waiting for Ford or GM to do the Calvin Klein thing? -- never happen). Fashion and desire. The way we build most housing is archaic. Houses, units, and pods can be manufactured in factories in Indonesia. The price would plummet, and the quality may improve.

Rethinking suburban living, where desirable aspects are transformed into higher-density residences, is possible. To many, mowing lawns is a chore or an expense.

Housing can be made affordable by placing money into all people's pockets. A basic income to spend on whatever is a priority, including shelter and a home.

Directly providing low-income housing through the government always faces opposition and is guaranteed to elevate racism, classism, elitism, and all the other isms. Forget it. Never worked. Never will.

Many thanks. Pleasure reading. Best to you.

That investors are in the shelter market is not altogether bad; it makes the market more fluid.