BC is trying something like that — but it also means years of continued slow housing development while waiting for the production numbers to come in. Feels like a slow response to a present crisis, even though it is good long term.

NYC banned Airbnbs (where the owner doesn’t live in the property) — but it didn’t make a big impact on rents. more of an impact on hotel rates.

Instead of zoning, governments can run their own commercial buildings to make choices like that on who to rent to. Like Granville Island in Vancouver.

(I think it’s a good thing to do, but zoning is too blunt a tool for the job)

Another way to look at units with downsides like that — they’re undesirable relative to the rest of the building, so someone who doesn’t mind the shade or being a bridge level, would be able to get a good deal (lower price) to live there.