[throwaway400]

As if it's possible that some other scenario is not at play. Do you think housing is being erected at a record pace and yet still can't keep up with demand? Is it possible that people just don't want to build in SF, because... reasons that aren't red tap?

[msbarnett]

I haven't made any argument one way or the other.

I will point out that there is an article on the front page of HN right now in which multiple economists argue that "it's supply and demand" provides an insufficient explanation for, and solution to, the problem of affordable housing in San Francisco: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19872015

So arguing that we must accept the "it's just supply and demand" argument by acclamation with no sourcing seems flimsy. Educated minds are arguing otherwise, and providing evidence to back up their claims. It hardly seems unreasonable to expect the other side of the argument to do similar.