Commoner Housing

[Rosario]

So when I start upgrading Serfs to Commoners, a few houses will almost immediately upgrade, and then almost never again, even if there are no other build projects going on and a dozen idle builders. Happiness is going down because 40 Commoners lack proper housing. Is there a trick to getting the thatch roofed houses to upgrade? If not would it be possible to add in a 'force upgrade' option that gives a warning that Serfs won't be able to move in or whatever?

[Minotorious]

Houses will only upgrade to level 2 if their UI window indicates they are in High or Very High desirability

[Bravesword]

Make sure you have wells fairly close to where you want houses and also a food vendor. Add a church and when available, a fountain will affect desirability for housing.

[Rosario]

Originally posted by Bravesword:

Make sure you have wells fairly close to where you want houses and also a food vendor. Add a church and when available, a fountain will affect desirability for housing.

Yep, I misunderstood the desirability mechanic, I figured a lower desirability house would just not have people move into them if they were built and then made low desirability due to new buildings being put nearby, or if the housing zones were made on top of low desirability then they just wouldn't be built period. Didn't realize it also had to do with the upgradability, but that's what I get for not reading.