Property is a tough nut to crack because there are a bunch of different issues creating this problem and some of them are local. NIMBYism is a big one obviously but so many are inveted in the value of their house that increasing property prices becomes a political goal. Worse, property becomes a tool for the ultra-rich to park money in a way that is hedged against inflation.
Rents tend to follow property prices but they lag.
Manhattan also has a big problem with the type of property that gets built, being ultra-luxury property (that sells for >$5k/sq ft). Part of the demand for this is parking money but there are other reasons. Insurance is a big one thanks to the infamous "scaffolding law".
But the main point I want to raise here is that politicians, regardless of party (in the US at least), have zero interest in fixing this problem. Why? Because they're all bought and paid for by the capital-owning class. NYC politics in particular serves property developers first, police unions second and whatever third is nobody cares.
A budget shortfall is built into your existence. This keeps you showing up to work and diminishes your ability to negotiate (since walking away isn't an option). This creates a compliant workforce that doesn't hurt profits by, say, wages going up even with just inflation.
If NYC politics serves property developers first, then it probably wouldn't be illegal for property developers to develop new property in the vast majority of the city.
Rents tend to follow property prices but they lag.
Manhattan also has a big problem with the type of property that gets built, being ultra-luxury property (that sells for >$5k/sq ft). Part of the demand for this is parking money but there are other reasons. Insurance is a big one thanks to the infamous "scaffolding law".
But the main point I want to raise here is that politicians, regardless of party (in the US at least), have zero interest in fixing this problem. Why? Because they're all bought and paid for by the capital-owning class. NYC politics in particular serves property developers first, police unions second and whatever third is nobody cares.
A budget shortfall is built into your existence. This keeps you showing up to work and diminishes your ability to negotiate (since walking away isn't an option). This creates a compliant workforce that doesn't hurt profits by, say, wages going up even with just inflation.
This is what neofeudalism looks like.