What you propose is not at odds with what you are replying to. Imagine an alternate timeline of the US where we did not promote homeownership. This alternate US

What you propose is not at odds with what you are replying to. Imagine an alternate timeline of the US where we did not promote homeownership. This alternate US would likely have many many forms of REITs, in which regular people could invest in. No one would have to buy a whole house, just participation in one or more homes, perhaps a subdivision or even a city. This alternate timeline would promote more focus on increasing the value of the city than the value of a single home. It would also reward those who got there early without allowing them to block all progress since there is financial benefit for all.