Couldn't we address the real estate problem by having (more) property taxes? I wonder how much impact prop 13 alone had on the problem (I also wonder how the US analysis would look with California subtracted)
Of course such taxes wouldn't automatically create housing, but it definitely disincentivizes hoarding it, and allows the state to capture more of the accrued wealth to redistribute it. It makes real estate look like a less enticing holding and would make people less entrenched in defending its value, etc.
Property taxes are higher on more developed property. In general, when you tax something more you get less of it. There might be exceptions, but wouldn't a more credible plan be to relax some of the zoning and regulation that are widely acknowledged to deter housing construction?
Of course such taxes wouldn't automatically create housing, but it definitely disincentivizes hoarding it, and allows the state to capture more of the accrued wealth to redistribute it. It makes real estate look like a less enticing holding and would make people less entrenched in defending its value, etc.