I know that SE wanted to keep the community/neighbor aspect of housing, but with only so many houses per server it's going to be literally impossible for everyone who wants a house to be able to get a house.

I know it's been asked before but I want to propose it again:

Have the current Wards be for FCs, and then have Instanced Housing for private houses. That way everyone can get a private small that can be upgraded to medium or large if they have the money, and the FCs can keep the neighborhood aspect.