DeSantis a closeted YIMBY?

And aren't most Nimby issues due to local governments and not state level ones? So, if Desantis deserves any credit for this (assuming it's even true) what specifically did he do to improve the situation?

I don't know if these numbers are correct, but from what I read yes, that's a big portion of it. Basically destroyed homes, 2nd vacation homes, and low cost workforce housing are the big driving factors and this is only a fraction of what they need.

It's also weird to say this is a regulation thing, at least for FL. I don't doubt there's an argument for that if you're comparing flyover states to coastal states.

But last year FL passed a law that set aside hundreds of millions in financial incentives to developers to build affordable housing, in addition to any local incentives, and additional tax breaks. A lot of places that are building new "workforce housing" already had plans and/or land to build there, but they never did because it wasn't profitable. Now it is, because FL is basically paying them to do it. I doubt you'd be seeing these numbers under any other circumstance, and I don't know that it's going to actually do anything to address single family housing. Plus they're back to the same problem as soon as those funds are used up.

It’s easier to build in red states with less regulation and cost. You can check St Louis Fed that track these numbers. https://www.ocregister.com/2022/08/15/california-housing-permits-at-2nd-highest-level-since-2007

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CABPPRIV#

What use to cost $22k in fees to build a single family home in Portland now cost $176k.