A study by two housing advocacy groups alleges that Airbnb is worsening New York City’s tight housing supply, and is likely causing thousands of units to be pulled from the market.
Housing Conservation Coordinators and MFY Legal Service, which conducted the study, identified 8,000 Airbnb listings that advertised so frequently that they were likely illegally converted into hotel rooms. This situation has caused rents to rise in the city, the study contends.
More than half of the units on Airbnb were being offered for rent by owners who had multiple units up for rent. This is a sign that they were being run by de-facto illegal hotel operators, the report says. Airbnb disputed the study’s findings, saying that its methodology was flawed and accused it of being funded by the hotel industry.
Cities across the country have been challenged to apply existing codes and regulations to the growth of the site that matches property owners with travelers looking for short-term rental accommodations.
Related Stories
Market Data | May 7, 2018
Construction employers add 17,000 jobs in April and 257,000 for the year
Unemployment rate for construction increases slightly compared to year earlier as higher pay levels appears to be attracting people with recent construction experience back into the workforce.
Market Data | May 2, 2018
Construction employment increases in 245 metro areas between March 2017 & 2018, as trade fights & infrastructure funding shortfalls loom
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas and Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio experience largest year-over-year gains; Baton Rouge, La. and Auburn-Opelika, Ala. have biggest annual declines.
Market Data | May 2, 2018
Nonresidential Construction down in March, private sector falters, public sector unchanged
February’s spending estimate was revised roughly $10 billion higher.
Market Data | Apr 30, 2018
Outlook mixed for renewable energy installations in Middle East and Africa region
Several major MEA countries are actively supporting the growth of renewable energy.
Market Data | Apr 12, 2018
Construction costs climb in March as wide range of input costs jump
Association officials urge Trump administration, congress to fund infrastructure adequately as better way to stimulate demand than tariffs that impose steep costs on contractors and project owners.
Market Data | Apr 9, 2018
Construction employers add 228,000 jobs over the year despite dip in March
Average hourly earnings increase to $29.43 in construction, topping private sector by nearly 10%; Association officials urge updating and better funding programs to train workers for construction jobs.
Market Data | Apr 4, 2018
Construction employment increases in 257 metro areas between February 2017 & 2018 as construction firms continue to expand amid strong demand
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. and Merced, Calif. experience largest year-over-year gains; Baton Rouge, La. and Auburn-Opelika, Ala. have biggest annual declines in construction employment.
Market Data | Apr 2, 2018
Construction spending in February inches up from January
Association officials urge federal, state and local officials to work quickly to put recently enacted funding increases to work to improve aging and over-burdened infrastructure, offset public-sector spending drops.
Market Data | Mar 29, 2018
AIA and the University of Minnesota partner to develop Guides for Equitable Practice
The Guides for Equitable Practice will be developed and implemented in three phase.
Market Data | Mar 22, 2018
Architecture billings continue to hold positive in 2018
Billings particularly strong at firms in the West and Midwest regions.