Excellent article Coby Lefkowitz.

Delivering affordable housing has always been a tough one -- although as you say, it's simply a matter of building more houses (or living space).

Knocking some of the value from housing is desirable and possible by NOT having interest paid on mortages tax deductible (It has always been a sop to the middle class and most of that privilage flows to the wealthy anyway). This as a squashed bit of history would direct more folk into renting rather than buying (and incidentally change the status of it) which would not only make the "living space" market more fluid but diminish the cloat of zoners. Another adjustment (especially in dense urban places like New York and San Francisco but elsewhere also) is to have property tax based on area of land owned as opposed to assessed value of property (or at least have it as a significant component). This would dramatically increase living units to land.

I can hear the hissing through teeth now!

As far as Federal, State and City Government's involvement in "living space" they maybe better to butt out of the business that they proved not good at -- with no real blame to them. Better to leave "living space" to individuals and families but put ample money directly into their pockets to find solutions best for them. The market will respond.

Many thanks