Some of that is local zoning laws that prohibit the kind of small affordable "starter" homes from being built Things like Minimum Lot size, out right restricti

Some of that is local zoning laws that prohibit the kind of small affordable "starter" homes from being built Things like Minimum Lot size, out right restriction on size of home, and other "building codes" that have nothing to do with the safety or long term viability of a construction project It is unlikely the development my grandparents home is in would get zoning approval should a developer seek to build a similar neighborhood today. The lots sizes would be too small, the homes would be too small, and various other things would be non-compliant with modern building codes which does not mean it would be unsafe.