4 ms·

> are creating long-term housing shortages that displace residents This could be avoided, if the cities would be willing to allow building more homes in the ar

by sampo 10y ago

> are creating long-term housing shortages that displace residents This could be avoided, if the cities would be willing to allow building more homes in the areas where demand is high. (Usually it's even the same people opposing building new homes and at the same time complaining about the rising prices. Very illogical.)

pasbesoin 10y ago
And suddenly your tourist-y locale is transformed into "just another cityscape." Not to make light of the need for affordable housing. But, the problem with respect to AirBnB and the like is not simply to "build more." Zoning, regulations, and such grew up over decades, in response to needs. Not "just because." AirBnB and the like, as I've commented elsewhere, essentially crowd-source an "end run" around limited resources for enforcement. Arbitraging short-term rental demand against limited, taxpayer-funded (and often not even supplemented by e.g. hotel taxes that traditional short-term rental establishments have to pay) enforcement. In my personal experience, I have had an abusive level of disregard for the common welfare exhibited by a few neighbors. Absent effective control, it really can "ruin" a building or a neighborhood. This has left me with exactly zero sympathy for the AirBnB crowd. Especially after the all-to-frequent horror stories I've read -- thought admittedly, the press and public attention seek the extremes for the sake of sensation. But even just in more level-headed, unpromoted comments here on HN and elsewhere. The "sharing" economy too often takes its advantage by dumping on its surroundings and reducing the quality of life for others. By all means, build more housing. In a sustainable fashion and enjoyable design. I've advocated for creating regulation and code that requires noise-reducing materials and construction techniques in new construction. Among other things, this could well make shared dwellings more attractive, increasing density and resource efficiency while maintaining aspects of quality of life such as simply having a safely peaceful home. But don't promote "build more" as a simple sop for the problems AirBnB and unregulated "sharing" bring to the table. Don't turn other people's homes, often against their will, into "the hotel room next door."
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
bogomipz 10y ago
>"This could be avoided, if the cities would be willing to allow building more homes in the areas where demand is high." The OP was using New Orleans as a specific example. And it is good one. New Orleans has enough housing stock for the residents. In fact the population of New Orleans is only 80% of what it was pre Hurricane Katrina. What they don't have enough housing stock for is the number of AirBnB guests AND residents. Just using the Bywater in New Orelans as an example. This neighborhood is a traditional working class neighborhood with historically reasonable rents. Lots of local artists and people who work in the restaurant/hospitality industry which is New Orleans main industry. Now the neighborhood is an AirBnB community. You can sit on a front port and watch people with rolling suitcases go by all day. This is housing stock that is no longer available to residents as long term housing. Meanwhile New Orleans has no shortage of hotels however. Its main income is tourism. The difference is that staying in a hotel is not an option for a New Orleans resident.

by sampo 10y ago

pasbesoin 10y ago

And suddenly your tourist-y locale is transformed into "just another cityscape." Not to make light of the need for affordable housing. But, the problem with respect to AirBnB and the like is not simply to "build more." Zoning, regulations, and such grew up over decades, in response to needs. Not "just because." AirBnB and the like, as I've commented elsewhere, essentially crowd-source an "end run" around limited resources for enforcement. Arbitraging short-term rental demand against limited, taxpayer-funded (and often not even supplemented by e.g. hotel taxes that traditional short-term rental establishments have to pay) enforcement. In my personal experience, I have had an abusive level of disregard for the common welfare exhibited by a few neighbors. Absent effective control, it really can "ruin" a building or a neighborhood. This has left me with exactly zero sympathy for the AirBnB crowd. Especially after the all-to-frequent horror stories I've read -- thought admittedly, the press and public attention seek the extremes for the sake of sensation. But even just in more level-headed, unpromoted comments here on HN and elsewhere. The "sharing" economy too often takes its advantage by dumping on its surroundings and reducing the quality of life for others. By all means, build more housing. In a sustainable fashion and enjoyable design. I've advocated for creating regulation and code that requires noise-reducing materials and construction techniques in new construction. Among other things, this could well make shared dwellings more attractive, increasing density and resource efficiency while maintaining aspects of quality of life such as simply having a safely peaceful home. But don't promote "build more" as a simple sop for the problems AirBnB and unregulated "sharing" bring to the table. Don't turn other people's homes, often against their will, into "the hotel room next door."

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]

bogomipz 10y ago

>"This could be avoided, if the cities would be willing to allow building more homes in the areas where demand is high." The OP was using New Orleans as a specific example. And it is good one. New Orleans has enough housing stock for the residents. In fact the population of New Orleans is only 80% of what it was pre Hurricane Katrina. What they don't have enough housing stock for is the number of AirBnB guests AND residents. Just using the Bywater in New Orelans as an example. This neighborhood is a traditional working class neighborhood with historically reasonable rents. Lots of local artists and people who work in the restaurant/hospitality industry which is New Orleans main industry. Now the neighborhood is an AirBnB community. You can sit on a front port and watch people with rolling suitcases go by all day. This is housing stock that is no longer available to residents as long term housing. Meanwhile New Orleans has no shortage of hotels however. Its main income is tourism. The difference is that staying in a hotel is not an option for a New Orleans resident.