[valuearb]

This appealing theory founders on the rock of reality. Government build housing is if anything more expensive.

[kavabean]

citation?

Also it's natural that public housing is at least somewhat more expensive. They have to follow code and not take shortcuts. Also there isn't the predatory, crushing, pressure to exploit the workers on the job in the same manner as in the private sector.

In general the difference is not very big. The bigger problem is graft and corruption.

[valuearb]

Everyone has to follow code. There is a huge difference because of

1) Motivation 2) Corruption

Private development has tons of #1, and little of #2, while public housing development is all #2 with very little #1.

#1 is how you find ways to build faster and better without taking shortcuts. It's called greater productivity.