People really want to run hair salons from their house, but zoning regulations prevent it. People really want to run daycares without licenses, but laws prevent it. People really want to house old folks without licenses, but laws prevent it.
We have zoning laws, restrictive covenants, and boarding house licensing rules for a reason. If there is demand, then have a public referendum like we’ve seen for cannabis laws, overturn the legislated barriers and allow it. But right now, it is illegal in most places and consequently hammering the market for actual residents.
I would argue that Airbnb is not illegal in 'most places', and even if it were, it does not take away the demand. Similar to cannabis, it's illegality did not take away the demand.
Whether there is demand is not up for debate, as there clearly is. The question lies in how it is handled. Making short-term rentals illegal will almost certainly not work. Allowing short-term rentals, and allowing enough housing to be built to accommodate them, along with those who wish to own is the only solution likely to work.
> People really want to run hair salons from their house, but zoning regulations prevent it. People really want to run daycares without licenses, but laws prevent it. People really want to house old folks without licenses, but laws prevent it.
Maybe I'm crazy, but I see nothing wrong with any of these.
We have zoning laws, restrictive covenants, and boarding house licensing rules for a reason. If there is demand, then have a public referendum like we’ve seen for cannabis laws, overturn the legislated barriers and allow it. But right now, it is illegal in most places and consequently hammering the market for actual residents.