The author does not cite the true reason for the high cost of housing in NYC (I live in Manhattan), SF, (and I'm told Bombay) which is 1) using politics to crea

The author does not cite the true reason for the high cost of housing in NYC (I live in Manhattan), SF, (and I'm told Bombay) which is 1) using politics to create artificial scarcity of housing through zoning density restrictions ("rent seeking"in microeconomics or "green belting") and 2) overuse of historic landmark status. This is well-recognized by economists, but I suggest reading this Op-Ed by Harvard economist Edward Glaeser http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/build-big-bill-article-1.1913739 http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/build-big-bill-article-1.... Nobelist and NY Times Columnist Paul Krugman cites Glaeser as well. What I find frustrating is that people write and publish articles without consulting the experts like Glaeser or consulting any economist for that matter. Prices rise because of scarcity. The high cost of housing is from inflated land costs through politically induced scarcity which is done through zoning density restrictions and overuse of historic landmark status. It is really that simple, yet many writers don't seem to understand that concept.