On: Tokyo proves that housing shortages are a political choice

[BurningFrog]

In a less exotic location, Houston proves the same.

[pascalxus → BurningFrog]

Houston and Chicago put the bay area to shame with populations over 2 million, high growth and super cost effective housing. The secret is no zoning laws in Houston

[seanmcdirmid → pascalxus]

Topography also plays a role, Houston and Chicago can grow outward forever, something that pesky hills and water get in the way of in the Bay Area.

[elgenie → pascalxus]

Houston does, however, rely on the taxpayers in the rest of the country to underwrite their many many housing units built in a floodplain.