22 ms·

All of these programs are band-aids at best. Most, like this, will force middle class rents even higher, putting more strain on the system. The causes of ever-

All of these programs are band-aids at best. Most, like this, will force middle class rents even higher, putting more strain on the system. The causes of ever-increasing rent are clear, but unpopular to address. We need more transit and living opportunities in healthy, job-rich areas so that 100 people aren't competing for a tiny apartment. Sadly, any movement to do so is attacked as "gentrification" or nonsense about "luxury" apartments. So, nothing gets done and people continue to get priced out. :/

L_Rahman 7y ago
The prime opponents to new housing construction aren't people who complain about gentrification or luxury housing. Those groups don't have that much political power. The proof for this lies in the fact that most new housing construction in American cities takes place in lower to middle income neighborhoods. The opponents to transit and living construction tend to be people who complain about "other people" moving in, "my property values", and "neighborhood character". We are on the same side of this issue, I simply urge you to direct your anger at more appropriate targets :)
- TeMPOraL 7y ago
  > The opponents to transit and living construction tend to be people who complain about "other people" moving in, "my property values", and "neighborhood character". I have a feeling that "house as a place to live" is fundamentally incompatible with "house as an investment".
  - zyx321 7y ago
    It's not literally about property values. It's about class, and to a lesser degree race. If there was good public transit, then 'inner city' people who can't afford owning a car could come and go freely. The suburban middle class don't want anything to do with 'those people'.
    - L_Rahman 7y ago
      Exactly! This is why I chose to put "property values" in quotes. While it is something that they think about, it's mostly about excluding people they have prejudices against.

L_Rahman 7y ago

The prime opponents to new housing construction aren't people who complain about gentrification or luxury housing. Those groups don't have that much political power. The proof for this lies in the fact that most new housing construction in American cities takes place in lower to middle income neighborhoods. The opponents to transit and living construction tend to be people who complain about "other people" moving in, "my property values", and "neighborhood character". We are on the same side of this issue, I simply urge you to direct your anger at more appropriate targets :)

TeMPOraL 7y ago
> The opponents to transit and living construction tend to be people who complain about "other people" moving in, "my property values", and "neighborhood character". I have a feeling that "house as a place to live" is fundamentally incompatible with "house as an investment".
- zyx321 7y ago
  It's not literally about property values. It's about class, and to a lesser degree race. If there was good public transit, then 'inner city' people who can't afford owning a car could come and go freely. The suburban middle class don't want anything to do with 'those people'.
  - L_Rahman 7y ago
    Exactly! This is why I chose to put "property values" in quotes. While it is something that they think about, it's mostly about excluding people they have prejudices against.