Housing for me might as well not exist.

[Kniteroad]

I don't see how this is possible when every game that has ever had housing has had entire communities built around it.

Then I assume you don't know the history of a realm reborn and what the game was prior. It's actually an amazing story, you should look into it. Housing was never a focus point is FF14 at no time that I know of has there ever been a community built around housing in this game. housing, especially today and to most people, is nothing more than a trophy or a means of making A LOT of gil.