A labor group is taking on the impact of short-term rentals on the housing market in one of the most expensive cities in the country. The debate is contentious, with numbers flying both ways, and also critical for the economic health of cities.
"A report released Wednesday [March 11] from the pro-labor group Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy finds the commercialization of short-term rentals is exacerbating L.A.'s housing crisis and driving up the price of rent," reports Kristen Lepore.
The article quotes LAANE analyst Roy Samaan in explaining the findings of the report: "We boil it down to a pretty simple question of supply and demand,….When units are not available for rent, the supply of rental units is less and that means prices will have to respond."
Airbnb counters by citing research completed by Thomas Davidoff, a professor at University of British Columbia on contract for Airbnb, which found that "people sharing a home that wasn’t their primary residence increased rental prices by at most $6 - a third of one percent - over the past five years…"
The article goes on to provide more back and forth between critics of supporters of Airbnb, including an explanation about the fundamental difference between the two opposing sides gather and analyze the data to make their case.
FULL STORY: Pro-labor group, Airbnb argue over impact on rental housing
Can Los Angeles Regulate Airbnb?
Several Los Angeles neighborhoods, Venice in particular, have become hotbeds of short-term rental activity. Upset by a stream of raucous visitors, residents wonder whether the city can—or will—enforce regulations on platforms like Airbnb.
LA Officials Struggle to Enforce Short-Term Rental Rules
Hundreds of rent-controlled units are being illegally rented out as short-term rentals, pushing out long-term renters and exacerbating the city’s housing crisis.
L.A. Adopts Strict Short-Term Rental Regulations
The Los Angeles City Council approved significant new regulation of short-term rentals, available on platforms like Airbnb, earlier this week.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
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A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service