[cyberax]

> They are expensive largely because of housing so your statement is a bit of a tautology.

Yes. And that's impossible to fix.

> Historically NYC housing used to be a lot more affordable before they stopped building, reducing supply relative to demand and thereby raising prices.

Demand will _always_ outstrip supply. And there's no such thing as "affordable housing", it's a contradiction like "hot liquid helium". If housing sells, then it's affordable for _somebody_.

What you're talking about is subsidized housing in some form. Like rent control or housing projects.

[IAmBroom]

> Demand will _always_ outstrip supply.

Economics 101 would beg to disagree.

> And there's no such thing as "affordable housing", it's a contradiction like "hot liquid helium". If housing sells, then it's affordable for _somebody_.

Incorrect. Housing can be sold to a buyer that won't use it for housing. Like the dog protecting the manger full of food it can't eat, affordable housing can be removed from the market by investors, tax vehicles, and so forth.