Local groups launch coalition calling for short-term rental law

“It’s Time, D.C.”, a coalition of local community groups, civic organizations, labor leaders and residents, launched an ad campaign this week “to voice the concerns of the thousands of city residents and neighborhoods that have been negatively affected by short-term rentals” and encourage the D.C. City Council to pass short-term rental legislation to protect neighborhoods and affordable housing. Members of the coalition include The D.C. Federation of Civic Associations, Unite Here! Local 25, AirbnbWatch and concerned residents. “As a single mom, finding an affordable home for my family in D.C. is a challenge and now commercial investors are buying up homes to rent on Airbnb reducing housing and raising rent citywide,” says Yukia Hugee (left) in the first ad of the campaign. “Leaders from major cities across the country like San Diego, San Francisco, New York, and Boston have enacted short-term rental laws to protect affordable housing and hold short-term rental platforms like Airbnb accountable,” says Lauren Windsor of AirbnbWATCH.

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