Any solution that begins with "All we need is X people to ..." is an almost guaranteed failure. > We were able to build a massive countrywide network of roads

Any solution that begins with "All we need is X people to ..." is an almost guaranteed failure. > We were able to build a massive countrywide network of roads and highways and train tracks a 100 years ago. Building the first road/train track connecting A to B pays for itself (probably many-fold) in increased revenue from taxes you can collect because such a connection significantly increases the economy.[1] It's not clear that more housing will have that impact. And for all the people complaining about zoning and NIMBYISM: That's a very local phenomenon in a few cities. Where I live we have neither of these problems, and housing is still a major issue. I'd wager that's true in most US cities that have housing problems. Preaching about zoning and NIMBYism is merely showing a disconnect with the rest of the country and is a red herring. Solve the incentive problem - at current building prices builders cannot afford to make housing for lower income folks. Either make the cost to build cheaper or, as the parent says, get the government to subsidize building it so they can make a profit. [1] Fixing up existing roads doesn't, which is why if budget isn't properly allocated for maintenance, you'll get poor infrastructure.