3 ms·

Truly, central planning at its most refined.

• davidw 10y ago
  If you think that's central planning, you should see what zoning looks like in most US cities! Not that I think their answer is very good.
• legulere 10y ago
  The free market also doesn't lead to more getting build in locations where no space is left. Why are waiting times worse than extreme prices?
  • wolfgke 10y ago
    > The free market also doesn't lead to more getting build in locations where no space is left. Because of the zoning laws - the opposite of a free market.
  • ChrisLomont 10y ago
    Because in the longer run extreme prices helps ensure new projects do get started when possible, and that current stock is maintained. Holding pricess below market rates helps ensure that over time current housing will be less maintained as money goes elsewhere, and as current housing can be converted into other more profitable land, it will be, thereby reducing housing overall. There are 100s of papers showing this, which is why rent controls being bad is one of the things most economists agree on.
    • eldavido 10y ago
      ...and it's happening. Quick googling can't track down a source, but I heard somewhere reliable that housing starts are at a 9-year high in California. Higher prices = more incentive to build. It's that simple.
  • gozur88 10y ago
    A waiting time of a month or two is a minor hassle, but a friend would have to be beyond awesome to let you sleep on his couch for 23 years.
  • MBlume 10y ago
    Where do you imagine the free market is operating?
  • fennecfoxen 10y ago
    > The free market also doesn't lead to more getting build in locations where no space is left. There's plenty of space left in places like New York or San Francisco, especially vertical space. Whether that's legally available to use (or impacts local infrastructure) is another matter, naturally.