Munger is suggesting a more expensive but less durable housing solution. The money was going to make housing anyways, he is using his influence insofar as clout

Munger is suggesting a more expensive but less durable housing solution. The money was going to make housing anyways, he is using his influence insofar as clout and 17% of the funding to make buildings that most people won't be able to live in for very long, at prices that are higher than normal. It's a loss even on those terms.