Sue Kayton has it right. Government should refrain from competing with the private sector. Regarding housing, take a look at what the San Mateo Community College District has done. Created housing on public land(using negative declarations to get around environmental concerns) which is then made available to District faculty at below market value. This does not show up on the bottom line as an expenditure. Clearly, it is part of a compensation package falling in that category.

Jack Hickey