> some people have got leases on apartments and are then renting them out via AirBnB instead of living in them You are choosing one person over the other. More

> some people have got leases on apartments and are then renting them out via AirBnB instead of living in them You are choosing one person over the other. More people are serviced through this mechanic. A lot more. You can argue that you want more long term tenants than short term tenants in a city, but thats a preference. In absolute value, having more units available for Airbnb service more people and more value, otherwise it wouldnt be profitable to do so. This is also a consequence of onerous legal responsibilities on long term leases. SF city government has to get their shit together for building more housing, not blaming that Airbnb is harming its constituents. (because it is, as visitors are not constituents of the city)