Regarding that Finaland Interview...

[JunseiKei]

Every plot may be owned on Leviathan but the housing wards feel very much dead, at least in my neck of the woods save for maybe one neighbor upstairs.

It's like that in Cactuar. Even when houses could only be bought and used by FCs, this was the feeling unless you had a couple of FCs nearby that were VERY active (usually some crafters squatting between the MB and the summoning bell to pull people down and appear active). It seemingly has little to do with house squatters and just no real reason to remain at your FC unless you actually have a reason to be there. Outside from a crafter (who now might have an apartment with an equally accessible ideal location or a personal house), there's really no reason to physically plant yourself in the wards. (My husband pointed out he's really loyal to his FC, but he hardly ever goes to the [FC] house. He talks with people all the time, too, but hardly anyone knows he owns a house, let alone visits it, even though that's where he is when not raiding.)

This is one of the reasons why I'd still very much like to push for housing to be moved to instanced and just remove the open wards save for maybe the Free Companies. Even then, you could easily move the FCs to the Grand Company headquarters they are listed with and access it like you do the squadron. Just make it so every member can go inside and hang out. Solves the problem for FCs that can't get access to airships and submarines, too.