[softsound]

Actually population world wide is dropping considerably and there are more empty houses per person then ever. Just almost no one can afford to live in them (only building expensive) or like rural they are just too expensive to repair. Some places are selling for $1 or giving away free houses because they know no one can afford them. Japan, Italy, Midwest America sometimes even pays you to move there out of desperation.

[Ekaros]

1€ houses were not because no one can afford them. It was because no one wanted them. And they were crap. For slightly more(tens of thousands) you could get something at least habitable. These schemes are not to combat prices, but desirability of area due to things like no opportunities.