My basic gut feeling is that if we can't make housing cheaply we are never going to have enough in a city going through a boom.
Governments action can put downward pressure on all elements except materials. Land (increase supply of zoned capacity) and permitting are the low hanging fruit. Labor reforms will take much longer.
Denver might be another good candidate for you to tell your narrative via data. Don't know if you have ever seen the show "Weediquette" on Viceland. But there was an insightful episode on the Denver housing market last night. Developers build $6000/mo high rise condos targeting "Green Rush" cannabis entrepreneurs flush with cash. While city government bans outdoor "camping" for the thousands of locals displaced by an influx of new residents.
I'd also love to hear your team's opinions on the affordable housing crisis. As well as alternative examples of government policy that works. And is policy making your eventual goal? Or more direct initiatives?
Solving affordable housing: Creative solutions around the U.S.
https://www.curbed.com/2017/7/25/16020648/affordable-housing...
Here is the basic toolkit:
— Spend public dollars (budget+bonds) on new affordable housing, aim for 5-10% of annual city budget (now it's 1-2%).
— Create districts with pre-approved building permits (some work on it, but it takes 10+ years to master plan a district)
— Invite non-local developers and give them strong incentives (e.g. joint US-China ventures in real estate)
— Remove risks from permitting process, make it faster, reduce power of local individuals to block/delay major developments
— Raise height limits in certain areas
— Reduce parking requirements. Allow large-scale developments on former parking lots (stadiums, shopping malls)
— Create a new powerful role "Vice Mayor of Affordable Housing", centralize all functions under that person, set ambitious goals, and have the ability to fire that person if the goals are not met
But alternatively, why not just directly inject privately raised funds into shelters and temp housing services? It seems this is where the brunt of the demand is. Increase transitional accommodation supply. It can even be minimal in regards to amenities. And offer employment counselling in one go. As well as partnering with region medical hospital systems to provide a network of low-cost out-patient clinics.
A single model that works in any political environment. Not just for the largest cities, but post-industrial towns as well. It would also compress the time scales from years to months. And although in no way a long term sustainable solution for growing families. It would provide immediate relief for those in emergency situations.
And thanks for your efforts! This is crucial work you are doing, and I'll certainly be rooting for you ;)