Would expensive housing have anything to do with laws that combat sprawl, i.e. limitations of building housing? How about all the restrictions put up thanks to the wonderful environmentalists?
Yes. Portland has bragged about having the "best" laws in favor of "smart growth" and against "urban sprawl."
But remember, a lot of the people who supoprt these laws don't understand Economics 101. They don't understand that restricting the supply of housing drives up the price.
So, in their ignorance of economics, they try to pass special initiatives to build "affordable housing." But real, genuine affordable housing doesn't come from government legislation. Real, genuine affordable housing comes when the government doesn't get in the way of the free market.
I think that just about every area in the country that lacks sufficient "affordable housing" is an area where the majority of the population voted for Kerry.