Sponsored link
Friday, October 30, 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
Sponsored link

Latest

Drama Masks: Fairy tales set to Britney’s greatest hits. Gimme more or oops?

Plus: A tale of two hapless dads may well be one of the year's best shows.

Public bank would be stable, provide affordable housing, and help with climate goals

New study shows vast benefits of the financial institution that Prop. B would help create

Ficks’ Picks: 9 movies worth all the hype from New York Film Festival

Why 'Fjord' deserved the Palme d'Or, the cinematic embrace of '9 Temples to Heaven,' and a double dose of South Korea's Hong Sang-soo.

Live Shots: Psyched! Fest blows minds with Peaches, Allah-Las, Provoker

Independent local festival runs through November 6, with sets from Buena Vista Orchestra and Melts still to come.

You might also likeRELATED