[tormeh]

Land-use restrictions and NIMBYism drives up housing costs. I don't blame investors from wanting to make money off of that. They didn't start the fire, so why not roast some marshmallows? It may be in somewhat bad taste, but they're not doing anyone any harm. Direct your anger at the local governments that block cheap mass housing from being built.

Of course the real reason is that people want property values to increase and rents to decrease. This is a circle you can't square. Many voters are homeowners who have all their savings tied up in their home. In legislations without safety nets this might be their retirement plan and social security, too. In practice this turns into a destructive political force that crushes everyone who doesn't own their home. Incentives, baby!

[afavour]

> They didn't start the fire, so why not roast some marshmallows?

I think the metaphor would be “they didn’t start the fire so why not throw some more fuel onto it?”

[nradov]

If you actually talk with the most active NIMBYs, they tend to be more concerned with quality of life than with property values. They have lived in the same home for many years and don't plan to sell. Building more housing in their neighborhood means less privacy, more noise, more traffic, more crime, and a shortage of street parking. You might consider them selfish but their concerns aren't irrational.