Sadly, it is intentionally confusing, hence the double-speak. The truth is that there's no such thing as conjuring up affordable housing in expensive cities at

Sadly, it is intentionally confusing, hence the double-speak. The truth is that there's no such thing as conjuring up affordable housing in expensive cities at-will. Expensive housing will be built and subsidized so that it is affordable for some, but not others. - or - Expensive (market rate) housing will be built unsubsidized and it will compete with all other housing stock. If there is little competition, the price will not be affordable, because why would it without competition. Once there's enough housing supply, then new housing stock will be competing with existing housing, and put downward pressure on prices. A third element at play here is that wealthier residents are able to afford housing regardless of price, so the key question existing residents must ask is: Do you want them to compete with you on a likely rent-controlled unit, or do you want them to take a look at the fancy new apartment with all the expensive amenities, and isn't rent controlled. Remember that all housing stock was once new and more expensive before it became affordable to everyone else. This isn't a comment for or against rent control but it is a factor that must be considered. Blocking new housing unless it's "affordable" is just NIMBYism with better optics.