A Simple Solution to Housing Crisis in some Major Cities

[San Lumen]

Why would it be futile?

Banning the ownership of real estate not for personal use would, in addition to shutting down every mall, also drive investors away, would probably be illegal and unconstitutional, would piss people off, is not in the interests of the political elite and their major donors, is close enough to Communism that the CIA would get involved, etc.

you could tailor the law for residential only.

[Juansonia]

Banning the ownership of real estate not for personal use would, in addition to shutting down every mall, also drive investors away, would probably be illegal and unconstitutional, would piss people off, is not in the interests of the political elite and their major donors, is close enough to Communism that the CIA would get involved, etc.

you could tailor the law for residential only.

Only removes one point.

[Point Blob]

Why would it be futile?

Banning the ownership of real estate not for personal use would, in addition to shutting down every mall, also drive investors away, would probably be illegal and unconstitutional, would piss people off, is not in the interests of the political elite and their major donors, is close enough to Communism that the CIA would get involved, etc.

Good. Ideal result.
I mean it probably wouldn't shut down shopping centres entirely as they'd likely default to public ownership... and it wouldn't be illegal if it was the direct result of laws to make it legal... and "unconstitutional" is a purely Murican concern which doesn't matter a whit to me from the other side of the Atlantic...
BUT yeah... ideal result!

Well... almost. I'd rather the political elite died screaming in a boiling vat of their own collective body fluids... but I'd settle for pissing them off.

you could tailor the law for residential only.

Nope. Not enough. Commercial too. Don't give them any loop-holes to abuse.

[Cachard Calia]

Three words: Towering. Commie. Blocks.

[Kerwa]

Three words: Towering. Commie. Blocks.

I already suggests something similar. But Lumen doesn’t want to flatten any of the existing neighborhoods in Manhattan.

As an aside, did you know the subway used to have public toilets? Like ones that work and people actually used. I think the US needs to think long and hard about what sort of society it is now before rushing headlong into further densification.

[San Lumen]

Three words: Towering. Commie. Blocks.

I already suggests something similar. But Lumen doesn’t want to flatten any of the existing neighborhoods in Manhattan.

As an aside, did you know the subway used to have public toilets? Like ones that work and people actually used. I think the US needs to think long and hard about what sort of society it is now before rushing headlong into further densification.

Why would we need to flatten any neighborhoods?

[El Lazaro]

I already suggests something similar. But Lumen doesn’t want to flatten any of the existing neighborhoods in Manhattan.

As an aside, did you know the subway used to have public toilets? Like ones that work and people actually used. I think the US needs to think long and hard about what sort of society it is now before rushing headlong into further densification.

Why would we need to flatten any neighborhoods?

What if the neighborhoods have rich people in them?

[Kerwa]

I already suggests something similar. But Lumen doesn’t want to flatten any of the existing neighborhoods in Manhattan.

As an aside, did you know the subway used to have public toilets? Like ones that work and people actually used. I think the US needs to think long and hard about what sort of society it is now before rushing headlong into further densification.

Why would we need to flatten any neighborhoods?

If you want enough housing to make a difference somewhere is getting leveled to build it.

Where else are you going to put it? Central Park?

Though maybe Oregon is onto something with it’s favela plan.

[Kernen]

Three words: Towering. Commie. Blocks.

Nobody liked soviet style Concrete Mould Apartment Brick, even the soviets.

[Juansonia]

Banning the ownership of real estate not for personal use would, in addition to shutting down every mall, also drive investors away, would probably be illegal and unconstitutional, would piss people off, is not in the interests of the political elite and their major donors, is close enough to Communism that the CIA would get involved, etc.

Good. Ideal result.
I mean it probably wouldn't shut down shopping centres entirely as they'd likely default to public ownership... and it wouldn't be illegal if it was the direct result of laws to make it legal... and "unconstitutional" is a purely Murican concern which doesn't matter a whit to me from the other side of the Atlantic...

The constitution of a country is the highest law of the land. It overrules all legislation. "Unconstitutional" is "illegal, but on a level past legislation itself."

Three words: Towering. Commie. Blocks.

Nobody liked soviet style Concrete Mould Apartment Brick, even the soviets.

Completely ahistorical take.

When the Soviets first mass-produced "commie-block" housing, they were recovering from the destruction caused by WWII. Many households at the time didn't have cool things such as multi-room houses, running in-home water, or electricity. Commie-Blocks were a massive upgrade compared to preexisting housing, and they were planned with communal green space, amenities, and public transit. Aesthetics weren't a priority compared to speed, cost, and material quality of life.

With the exception of McCarthyists and a few architectural snobs, people didn't start hating Commie-Block housing until it started falling into disrepair.

[Gun Manufacturers]

I don't have to worry about rent in a city like NYC. I live in a paid off house on 1.5 acres in a rural area of CT.

Well good for you. For many people in my generation home ownership is something I'll never have but you have yours so you don't care.

I work my ass off at a good job. There are better jobs out there, that pay enough that people can buy houses. My younger sister just bought a house last year by herself (less than half an acre), in a large town/small city. She only works one full time job (and it isn't flipping burgers or cashiering at a gas station or retail store). Hell, you could buy a used school bus or step van, and convert it into a tiny home on wheels. Save up for a few years and voila, you could have enough for a house.

[Haganham]

Three words: Towering. Commie. Blocks.

You can't make housing affordable by pushing all the poor into commie blocks. We tried that. They were called to projects; and they were so awful that we tore them down.

"We will be different"
No, you wont, because you are subject to the same political and economics considerations that caused the first projects to fail. Indeed the factors that caused the failure of public housing are even more severe then they were in the 80's

[Paddy O Fernature]

Well good for you. For many people in my generation home ownership is something I'll never have but you have yours so you don't care.

I work my ass off at a good job. There are better jobs out there, that pay enough that people can buy houses. My younger sister just bought a house last year by herself (less than half an acre), in a large town/small city. She only works one full time job (and it isn't flipping burgers or cashiering at a gas station or retail store). Hell, you could buy a used school bus or step van, and convert it into a tiny home on wheels. Save up for a few years and voila, you could have enough for a house.

^ So much this.

Seems like more and more of the current housing headache is compounded by a lack of foresight and unreasonable expectations by people new to adulting.

[San Lumen]

I work my ass off at a good job. There are better jobs out there, that pay enough that people can buy houses. My younger sister just bought a house last year by herself (less than half an acre), in a large town/small city. She only works one full time job (and it isn't flipping burgers or cashiering at a gas station or retail store). Hell, you could buy a used school bus or step van, and convert it into a tiny home on wheels. Save up for a few years and voila, you could have enough for a house.

^ So much this.

Seems like more and more of the current housing headache is compounded by a lack of foresight and unreasonable expectations by people new to adulting.

You and GM come off as completely out of touch here.

[The Two Jerseys]

^ So much this.

Seems like more and more of the current housing headache is compounded by a lack of foresight and unreasonable expectations by people new to adulting.

You and GM come off as completely out of touch here.

...said the man who says that the mayor can just ignore zoning laws and court orders with zero repercussions.

[San Lumen]

You and GM come off as completely out of touch here.

...said the man who says that the mayor can just ignore zoning laws and court orders with zero repercussions.

I have said the laws should be changed.

[Gun Manufacturers]

^ So much this.

Seems like more and more of the current housing headache is compounded by a lack of foresight and unreasonable expectations by people new to adulting.

You and GM come off as completely out of touch here.

In my life, I've had periods of time where I've had to decide whether to keep the lights (and electric heat) on vs eating, gas for my vehicle vs rent, etc. How did I solve that issue? I got a much better job that pays me enough to cover all my bills, live in a paid off house, and own multiple vehicles. Some luck was involved (one of my 3 vehicles I won in a contest), but when I didn't like my living situation, I fixed it.

[Kernen]

...said the man who says that the mayor can just ignore zoning laws and court orders with zero repercussions.

I have said the laws should be changed.

But then ignore the practicalities as to why that won't happen and have no solution other than hoping government officials will ignore their constituents.

[Kernen]

Good. Ideal result.
I mean it probably wouldn't shut down shopping centres entirely as they'd likely default to public ownership... and it wouldn't be illegal if it was the direct result of laws to make it legal... and "unconstitutional" is a purely Murican concern which doesn't matter a whit to me from the other side of the Atlantic...

The constitution of a country is the highest law of the land. It overrules all legislation. "Unconstitutional" is "illegal, but on a level past legislation itself."

Nobody liked soviet style Concrete Mould Apartment Brick, even the soviets.

Completely ahistorical take.

When the Soviets first mass-produced "commie-block" housing, they were recovering from the destruction caused by WWII. Many households at the time didn't have cool things such as multi-room houses, running in-home water, or electricity. Commie-Blocks were a massive upgrade compared to preexisting housing, and they were planned with communal green space, amenities, and public transit. Aesthetics weren't a priority compared to speed, cost, and material quality of life.

With the exception of McCarthyists and a few architectural snobs, people didn't start hating Commie-Block housing until it started falling into disrepair.

Ah yes. Nobody hated it until it fell apart. The emergency mass produced housing made by a nation with garbage chemical industrial QC for their supplies that almost immediately began to fall apart. Surely none of the people in a regime known for gulags would have raised concerns, either.

[The Black Forrest]

I work my ass off at a good job. There are better jobs out there, that pay enough that people can buy houses. My younger sister just bought a house last year by herself (less than half an acre), in a large town/small city. She only works one full time job (and it isn't flipping burgers or cashiering at a gas station or retail store). Hell, you could buy a used school bus or step van, and convert it into a tiny home on wheels. Save up for a few years and voila, you could have enough for a house.

^ So much this.

Seems like more and more of the current housing headache is compounded by a lack of foresight and unreasonable expectations by people new to adulting.

Depends on the area. Right now I could not afford to buy my house even if I was employed. I made 6 figures….

[San Lumen]

You and GM come off as completely out of touch here.

In my life, I've had periods of time where I've had to decide whether to keep the lights (and electric heat) on vs eating, gas for my vehicle vs rent, etc. How did I solve that issue? I got a much better job that pays me enough to cover all my bills, live in a paid off house, and own multiple vehicles. Some luck was involved (one of my 3 vehicles I won in a contest), but when I didn't like my living situation, I fixed it.

Ah yes because getting a new job is so simple.

I have said the laws should be changed.

But then ignore the practicalities as to why that won't happen and have no solution other than hoping government officials will ignore their constituents.

I never said constituents should be ignored. Many would likely be quite happy with what I proposed.

[Ors Might]

Well good for you. For many people in my generation home ownership is something I'll never have but you have yours so you don't care.

I work my ass off at a good job. There are better jobs out there, that pay enough that people can buy houses. My younger sister just bought a house last year by herself (less than half an acre), in a large town/small city. She only works one full time job (and it isn't flipping burgers or cashiering at a gas station or retail store). Hell, you could buy a used school bus or step van, and convert it into a tiny home on wheels. Save up for a few years and voila, you could have enough for a house.

Problem for me and a fair few people is that its difficult to find a job that pays well enough for us to pay our bills and still put anything into savings at all. For many people, saving up enough to own a home would take well over a decade at least. And thats assuming their savings don't get wiped out due to some sort of emergency.

[Kernen]

In my life, I've had periods of time where I've had to decide whether to keep the lights (and electric heat) on vs eating, gas for my vehicle vs rent, etc. How did I solve that issue? I got a much better job that pays me enough to cover all my bills, live in a paid off house, and own multiple vehicles. Some luck was involved (one of my 3 vehicles I won in a contest), but when I didn't like my living situation, I fixed it.

Ah yes because getting a new job is so simple.

But then ignore the practicalities as to why that won't happen and have no solution other than hoping government officials will ignore their constituents.

I never said constituents should be ignored. Many would likely be quite happy with what I proposed.

And the ones who contribute money wouldn't. Because those constituents are the kinds benefitting from development.

Cmon, man, this isn't hard. Follow the money.

[Point Blob]

I already suggests something similar. But Lumen doesn’t want to flatten any of the existing neighborhoods in Manhattan.

Build them over the roads. Cars don't need sunlight.

As an aside, did you know the subway used to have public toilets? Like ones that work and people actually used. I think the US needs to think long and hard about what sort of society it is now before rushing headlong into further densification.

The Tube had those too. Some of them still work. Many don't, but nothing has been done about their remains. They just occupy space now.

What if the neighborhoods have rich people in them?

Rich people are made of meat.

I mean okay, I wouldn't eat just anyone rich. Just the vegan ones, because being a herbivore is basically consenting to being eaten.

You can't make housing affordable by pushing all the poor into commie blocks. We tried that. They were called to projects; and they were so awful that we tore them down.

Push?
Build GOOD commie blocks, prevent capitalist see-you-next-tuesdays from B2Ling them, and the poor will quite gladly move onto those blocks on their own... assuming they're not so poor they can't even afford to do that (or if there is a mountain of red tape to get through first), which could be an issue depending on how the whole thing is handled.

I work my ass off at a good job. There are better jobs out there, that pay enough that people can buy houses. My younger sister just bought a house last year by herself (less than half an acre), in a large town/small city. She only works one full time job (and it isn't flipping burgers or cashiering at a gas station or retail store). Hell, you could buy a used school bus or step van, and convert it into a tiny home on wheels. Save up for a few years and voila, you could have enough for a house.

You smell like soft meat. Privileged meat. Meat that has never known hardship and has no idea that its own privilege isn't universal.
I've been saving up for almost 2 decades. I'm not even 10% of the way to house level. But then I'm too Autistic to ever get that far. Most Aut-kin aren't even employable.

[Gun Manufacturers]

In my life, I've had periods of time where I've had to decide whether to keep the lights (and electric heat) on vs eating, gas for my vehicle vs rent, etc. How did I solve that issue? I got a much better job that pays me enough to cover all my bills, live in a paid off house, and own multiple vehicles. Some luck was involved (one of my 3 vehicles I won in a contest), but when I didn't like my living situation, I fixed it.

Ah yes because getting a new job is so simple.

But then ignore the practicalities as to why that won't happen and have no solution other than hoping government officials will ignore their constituents.

I never said constituents should be ignored. Many would likely be quite happy with what I proposed.

I never found a job in my field of study, but I was able to find a better job than the retail jobs that kept me from knowing how I was going to pay my bills the next week or month. It wasn't easy or quick (federal job means lots of hoops and very slow moving), but I put in the effort, and was willing to relocate to do so.