Supply here is incredibly low but if our current situation continues for too long I'm sure that will start to change.

Weeks later water was turned and I was told they need to install a new water supply.

Increase of money supply can lead to inflation. 

Contractors aren't working right now and personally I'm trying to limit my trips to Home Depot and public stores/places for supplies, so it's slow going. 

As a result, you and every other REI that is limited to those same strategies arrive at the same place...fighting over the limited supply. 

I foresee a huge surge in supply of single family properties in the months after things open up again. 

My question is the city lax in issuing building permits (increasing supplies)?

By 2020, you will not be able to repair your R-22 system because the price of R-22 will be extremely expensive and supply decreases.The current HVAC standard coolant, r410a, costs about $3-$8 per pound.

Since you have multiple houses, you can buy cylinders of it on ebay, if you think supplying it yourself to the technician will be cheaper overall. 

Additionally those that can wait it out should have supply and demand on their side as many VR owners have already converted to LTRs thus reducing the supply once the flood gates open.