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I think more people discussing housing on HN are angry at the entrenched, intractable housing and local government cartel that is making housing so expensive. T
by pchristensen 8y ago
I think more people discussing housing on HN are angry at the entrenched, intractable housing and local government cartel that is making housing so expensive. Tech workers are paid well, but a) home ownership is lower in CA + NY, b) home ownership is lower in big cities, c) home ownership skews older to begin with and that has been increasing over time, d) HN skews young and is largely people in big cities, so it's safe to assume that lots of readers are sending a big chunk of that big fat tech money to a landlord.
The housing fight is largely older, wealthier, entrenched, long-term owners vs younger newcomers who haven't been able to put down roots. It's no surprise that it has been a political rout.
I wish the YIMBYs well. The numbers could be on their side but the structure of the political contest is not.
- Epenthesis 8y agoWait, why would “sending a big chunk of that fat tech money to a landlord” make someone not interested in fixing the housing crisis?
- pchristensen 8y agoI'm saying that's why many urban tech workers are angry about housing policy, as opposed to the parent comment that suggested they feel guilty about it.
- landryraccoon 8y agoAnger doesnt change anything. Activism, involvement and donations do. Young tech workers have energy, money (compared to their peers) and incentive to change the system. If they won’t act, they suffer more than anyone else.
- lorenzq 8y agoTech workers are still a minority in the bay area.