Exactly! Why would anyone want to pay most of their monthly income for a crappy place to rent when they can just apply for housing assistance and get a nice, brand new place a lot cheaper? Have you seen some of the subsidized housing in Mountain View and other areas? Brand new, three bedrooms, garages, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors...Meanwhile someone working two or three jobs to pay their bills is paying $1200/month for a one-bedroom that's falling apart. No wonder people are sharing places with two or three other couples/families and leaving so many rentals empty.