I think in some areas (cant speak for all) the debate is about whether other things are affecting the market in a way that should make them the approach to tack

I think in some areas (cant speak for all) the debate is about whether other things are affecting the market in a way that should make them the approach to tackling affordability rather than purely worrying about supply. This then becomes politicised and people paint broad brushes of each argument, one side arguing "its not about supply! Its about x policy!" and the other side arguing "Its about supply and demand!". Both sides are extremes, when the answer may well lie somewhere along the line in the middle. Specifically, in Australia the debate is about whether the best way to tackle affordability is Supply/Demand or whether it is reducing incentives for investors (tax breaks for house investors). There are solid arguments on both "sides", but its pretty clear that housing supply plays a part in both solutions.. the real question is to what degree it has a bigger impact than changing government policy in this case. Point is the overall reason/cause doesn't mean it's the only consideration and thinking of it that way can lead to dismissal of valid joined issues/solutions.