San Francisco

I've no idea how to solve the problem where everyone can live in such a resource scarce place as SF without turning it into a city of concrete. Thankfully it's not my job, but if I do ever think of a solution I'll do it!

San Franciscans do not want to solve the problem.

They're unwilling to increase density by building higher, and seem to have a NIMBY approach to development in an attempt to preserve the character of their neighbourhoods.

I truly think that San Francisco has a great opportunity to define development and then encourage it, so that they get a truly great city in the future that is capable of easing it's housing issues.

For example I think mandating that all new property is 6-stories high, in-line with a significant number of European cities and in-principle (read: Pattern Language by Ishikawa, etc) the ideal density accommodation, would not significantly change the character of any area but would increase available space 50%.

San Franciscans seem fundamentally unwilling to do anything though, and only recently voted to restrict further development.

Ultimately... they are choosing to have the conditions they have. The rent prices they have.

The homeless problem is an entirely separate problem not wholly related to the scarcity of land. From what we heard from multiple sources, the issue was mostly health care related. At a certain level of struggle and poverty you have no health care and no support. But... if you can push yourself one rung lower and be homeless then health care is provided for you for free. So do you choose to struggle to work, to live in poverty with the property prices as they are and still suffer health issues as you age, or do you give up the possessions and property and get the health care?

Yes homeless from other cities have been bussed out and a lot ended in San Francisco, but it's the free health care that keeps them there and locks them into that layer of society.