Sponsored link
Thursday, February 12, 2026

Sponsored link

Why building more market-rate housing can’t possibly solve the city’s crisis

JULY 15, 2014 — Yesterday, we presented Part One of our Housing Video Series, explaining how San Francisco got into this mess. And in Part Two, we show how the “market-based solution” that the mayor and so many others appear to favor — just building and building for-profit market-rate housing — will eventually bring down costs.

Fact: We have abundant empirical data to show that’s just not true. Check out this video and understand why trickle-down housing economics won’t work in San Francisco — and to get a sense of what will.

By the way: If you want an idea of what happens to a city that is enamored of building highrise housing without much limit, check out Vancouver. Once a jewel of the West Coast, it now looks like … Hong Kong.  Or Miami Beach on steroids. And housing prices are still out of reach for many.

You want SF to look like this?
You want SF to look like this?

 

Tim Redmond
Tim Redmond
Tim Redmond has been a political and investigative reporter in San Francisco for more than 30 years. He spent much of that time as executive editor of the Bay Guardian. He is the founder of 48hills.

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Sponsored link

Sponsored link

Latest

‘Pride in Panels’ fest inks in queer cartoon brilliance

Biennial showcase highlights fierce DIY spirit in time of attacks—but may be unofficial requiem for CCA's pioneering Comics program.

SF Playhouse’s ‘M. Butterfly’ turns from gender tropes to exploration of weaponized identity

Seeking new fullness, production envelopes characters in movement.

Under the Stars: lovetempo’s debut makes our disco heart beat faster

Plus: Valentine's Day won't suck with Mae Powell and Dinner Date, and a crispy Takuya Kuroda repress.

Supes side with AT&T on massive cell phone tower in Diamond Heights

Mandelman says the city has no choice and AT&T could sue; neighbors say that's no way to make policy decisions

You might also likeRELATED