If you're proposing making housing a 'right' and not a personal asset, how do we go about that? One debate in NYC is over people who have rent controlled or rent stabilized units in very expensive neighborhoods. Should their subsidized housing be a "luxury product" or not?
I'm of the mindset where if you need housing, the community or government should provide housing. American is wealthy enough to do this and it's just the ethical thing to do. I also feel that if you are given housing, it should be local, but not always your desired location. For example, if you grew up in the East Village and you now need public housing, be prepared to move to Inwood. You're still in Manhattan, but its a 30 minute express train to your old neighborhood.
Second, there are some functions of society that may operate better outside a capitalistic system.
One could make the argument that the police are a necessary function of society that should not be governed by market forces.
I wonder if basic housing is a similar necessity?