Government building over-regulation makes housing far more expensive and generic for everyone. Building code mandates one way, a quite expensive way, of building homes. It forces builders to use old techniques despite advancing technology. If cars were over-regulated in the same way housing is, you would still have everyone driving Model T Fords!
We can maintain safety levels in housing without regulations by simply making builders personally liable for issues and removing the limited liability protection.
Policies like LA’s and NYC’s new rent caps are even more insane. Want to guarantee no new housing will be built? Cap rents and no investor will put any money into it as there are no returns. Want to turn your city into a slum? Cap rents and landlords will have no money for repairs or improvements.