It's outside of my control, as a tax payer, to force some city to build up.

It's well inside of my control to demand that my taxes are not wasted on subsidies going directly to rent-seeking landlords in already economically overheated areas.

I would prefer they go to underdeveloped areas and give more economic effect. This means that people asking for subsidies should be ready to shift away from the core.

You do if you live there. Vote pro housing candidates for city and regional government.