June 16, 2015
San Francisco and New York Weigh Airbnb’s Effect on Rent
Introduction
Magnetic key card? Not for this Airbnb guest. Hiroko Masuike/The New York TimesIn July, San Francisco will vote on proposals to regulate Airbnb, the vacation rental website that some say is contributing to the rise in housing cost in high-demand cities, where many long-term residents are unable to afford rent.
Is regulation necessary or is the threat exaggerated? How much is Airbnb affecting the housing market in cities like San Francisco where rent is high and rising?
Debaters
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Airbnb Is a Problem for Cities
A market-rate tenant in New York may find he can make extra money renting out his pad — until his landlord finds it’s easier to cut out the middleman.
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Airbnb Is an Ally, Not an Adversary
Cities must treat platforms like Airbnb as partners in finding new regulatory solutions, rather than casting them as the problem.
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Encourage the Use of Extra Space for Roommates
Extra housing space is more important for city residents than for tourists.
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Cities Must Add to the Affordable Rental Supply
Focusing exclusively on Airbnb ignores the longstanding economic factors that have decreased Americans ability to pay rent.
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