As is already happening, HUD pays off local governments and building contractors to add in 'affordable housing' in new, and especially suburban commercial developments. I'm not sure if it is because the left is trying to outsource the poverty/crime problems they've created in the cities or if they believe in 'magic soil', or both.
I'm actually a bit familiar with that racket. I know some former politicians that made some serious coin off it. Yes, most of them are Dem, but some are Repub.
Works like this. Yes, HUD will pay off 'building contractors' to make affordable housing. There's a bunch of check boxes that apply. So, you get a loan to refurb a decent condition warehouse, former mill, etc. Sometimes near the full cost of the property, actually. Usually closer to 60-70%. Turn it into apartments. Lease for X years at 'affordable housing' rates. Then raise the rates to normal pricing. The renters will all move out. Refurb the building again, lease to young adults, retirees, etc and make pretty good money.
It's legal and theoretically perfectly ethical. It does supply affordable housing (for X years), and I'm told it is cheaper/nicer than projects. Alternative is the slumlord approach and/or projects, which make no one happy.