[neilv]

For a start, I'd like to immediately outlaw short-term rentals (outside of traditional regulated hotels, etc.).

Then we need to end institutional and foreign investors ownership of single-family and few-unit homes. (I don't mean this as a "wouldn't it be great if someday, but we're never going to do it", but I think the housing crisis some places warrants state legislative efforts this year, requiring immediate halt to new purchases, and liquidation within 12 months.)

We might first have to outlaw campaign contributions.

[zephyrus1985]

Have you considered building more ?

[r00fus]

Sure, let's create more supply for foreign owners - that's not going to alleviate anything.

All the new building near where I live is high-priced apartments that no one can afford anyway (unless you airbnb them).

[kieselguhr_kid]

Without appropriate regulations you're just building more AirBNBs.

A little less flippantly, just adopting this YIMBY line without thinking through regulating the market to ensure houses are for human habitation will not address the underlying issues. It will just line the pockets of real estate developers.

[paulddraper]

Why should the owner of 20-story hotel be able to rent, but the owner of a 1-story house not?

[rspoerri]

Typically (in all countries i know) the usage of land is defined by the state. Residential vs. commercial usage is clearly differentiated. I have not researched it, but i'd assume that a hotel must be built on commercial ground (all i know are). With airbnb the commercial rental of a residential housing became common and is unregulated up till now.