Francis,

Private equity companies are in the housing business to make money. Significant market shifts attract these players, who generally pull properties onto the market, increasing supply. That said, prices can still rise and be felt by ordinary folk.

The way we build housing is expensive and archaic. The system maintains itself through a class struggle manifested in restrictive local bylaws.

We would all benefit by ditching the "American Dream" of home ownership, which is expensive, inefficient, and restrictive.

Attempts to increase "affordable" housing always face opposition from neighborhoods. It is much better to produce housing (in factories) and make it sexy -- do with housing what Elon Musk did with Teslas. A new kind of housing can become fashionable and more appealing in neighborhoods, pressuring changes to ordinances.

The government can help by eliminating mortgage subsidies and tax deductions for housing that primarily serves the wealthy.

Best to you.