[quote=Eugene]…In the mean time, we saw the birth of the exurb. We filled all the useful space within reach of major cities, up to the edge of federally protected wilderness, with low-density detached housing….[/quote]
I disagree that “exurb” housing is primarily “low-density,” Eugene. In the SD County “exurbs”, the vast majority of =<3000 sf SFR's are built on substandard lots (<5000 sf), are encumbered with an HOA and also usually CFD(s). The vast majority of 30+ yr old houses in SD County sit on bigger lots and have far more desirable locations than those built in the "exurbs" in the last 15 years.
I agree with the rest of your post except for the outcome. I don't think there are enough public/private partnerships in place or enough capital interested in building low-income apts unless the Section 8 program is dramatically expanded. Even if City permit fees were waived, the numbers wouldn't pencil out.
If young families can't afford to live here (in the way they wish to) in the future, they won't. It's as simple as that. Not every region in the country is for everyone.
