Panel:
The Sharing Economy and Housing Policy
(Housing, Community Development, and Urban Policy)
Friday, November 9, 2018: 10:15 AM-11:45 AM
Tyler - Mezz Level (Marriott Wardman Park)
*Names in bold indicate Presenter
Panel Chairs: Ingrid Gould Ellen, New York University
Discussants: Keren Horn, University of Massachusetts, Boston and Michael Suher, Federal Reserve Board of Governors
As sharing economy emerged, the short-term rental platform has grown, such as Airbnb, Homeaway, VRBO and Couch-surfing. Proponents claim that the short-term rental market exploits the use of underutilized housing resources, offers short-term rental operators additional income, and expands visitors’ accommodation choices. Critics believe the short-term rental market causes negative externalities, like noise, disruption, and safety concerns. More importantly, critics fear that the short-term rental market incentivizes commercial operators to convert long-term rental units to short-term rental units, exacerbating the housing affordability issue. This session willÂ
present new methods and findings from across the world regarding benefits and concerns of the short-term rental market. These findings are important for the sharing-economy regulation.
