Why doesn't the government just create a property development department and contract builders to build property and sell to private property owners?
Nobody in their right mind would build a house at the moment unless they were already wealthy, hence the housing shortage that is not going to improve anytime soon.
The issue is, governments want more housing supply, yet expect private individuals to take on all the risk of the building process. I for one would never go through the stress and uncertainty of building.
If the government just took on the risk, and best case scenario sell the newly built properties for profit, they might even be cost neutral, whilst increasing supply and lowering house prices for all.
(but I know governments aren't interested in lowering property prices sadly...)
