I'm all in favor of that. But in NYC, wealth or poverty are hardly predictors of YIMBYism. Most of the vocal opponents of building more housing are tenants. Given that renters are a solid majority, if they desired pro-housing policies, they could certainly elect representatives who would enact them.
One might surmise, given these facts, that there is some force other than democracy in control of the levers of power.
I would surmise no such thing! I think the far simpler explanation is either that renters are ignorant of housing economics, or that they have other priorities that override reducing market rents. Having talked with many renters, I think the former explanation carries most of the weight, with a little of the latter mixed in.
Or rather that democracy is easily influenced by a trillion dollar brainwashing industry
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