Not sure what you mean by "developers locking up land to keep supply low". They're NOT in cohoots with each other! When developers purchase a greenfields site, they can only develop in stages to satisfy existing demand in their locale, whilst having to balance cash flows of completed lots with financing the next stage. They have to be careful to ensure they make their margin (easier said than done, especially against rapidly increasing construction and financing costs, labour shortages and time lines blowing out.) Remove the profit motive on shelter, and we'll be in deep kimchee. Put another way: let the government take over shelter, and the people will suddenly be wondering (for example) why they can't get the age pension until 75 years of age.
