Not sure if you're either sarcastic or not. The issue is that the housing to be built is below market, and needs some special dispensation of permits, tax break

Not sure if you're either sarcastic or not. The issue is that the housing to be built is below market, and needs some special dispensation of permits, tax breaks, or direct grants. Those commercial and leisure entities you're talking about often push for these elements too, but they usually have to promise something in return, even so far as accepting clawback provisions and fines for failing to do so. Affordable Housing builders AFAIK never have these strings attached. If you'd counter to me with examples where this wasn't part of the agreement for commercial/leisure or where it was for affordable housing, I'd completely agree those are exceptions worth a closer look.