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IThinkImLovely t1_iyhtfqh wrote

Reply to comment by MagnusUnda in Toll Brothers is retreating from Jewelers Row, business group says by redeyeblink

The reason people put up with Philly is because though it can be rough around the edges it’s one of the largest affordable cities. These and other developers are investing solely in luxury housing (parking will get worse, schools will still be trash but become even more overcrowded, landlords will do less to accommodate their renters, etc). Philadelphians will get fed up and this city will either become Detroit or Aspen. Both of those cities have little character left. I really hope I’m wrong but if I’m not and nothing gets done the Philly we come to love will no longer exist. My true home is Miami. My chosen home is Philly. I really want true Philly to thrive.

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AbsentEmpire t1_iyiw41m wrote

Luxury is just a word for new at this point.

When me make building housing as difficult and expensive as possible, the only thing developers will be able to build is high end construction.

Parking is only an issue here because we give it away for free. Some of the schools are over crowded because we don't fund the school district. Landlords do nothing when they have no competition or reason to, because lack of housing supply gives them effective monopoly power.

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Sir-Jawn t1_iykabea wrote

Most buildings that are affordable today were once built as “luxury”. When it costs $450k per unit to build a building and years of bureaucratic red tape, you need to charge a certain rent level or else the whole project loses money.

More housing units is what keeps housing prices down. We should welcome more. It’s supply and demand.

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