[epicureanideal]

But are still EXTREMELY expensive relative to most of the US, not because of materials costs.

[almost_usual]

If you had the money and power to solve this problem how much housing would you build in the Bay Area?

[ixacto]

I'd make SF and all the large costal cities look like this https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Hong_Kon.... That is enough density to have a condo cost 100k instead of 500k. Sure there will be a decent amount of taxes and HOA fees, but that would turn housing into a utility rather than a government subsidy for the middle class. Also you could wire fibre to each unit and solve the internet speed problem for these NIMBYified cities.