Activists propose Airbnb ban to deter investors amid housing crisis

“It’s taking up a huge percentage of our housing stock that could be used for long-term housing, leading to a major housing shortage and making the housing crisis worse,” said local activist Brahvan Ranga.

Supporters of short-term rentals, however, say they bring in tourism, revenue and hotel tax.

Activists say homeownership and affordable housing is the trade-off and want to crack down in communities seeing huge growth in the market – like Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Kingston and New Paltz.

“The problem is not a working or middle-class family or individual trying to rent out a spare bedroom to make extra cash, it’s investors,” said Ranga.