The vacation rental market is shouldering part of the blame for rising housing costs, particularly in popular tourist destinations.

In another attempt to bring down housing costs by limiting the short-term rental market, the French Parliament voted to tighten regulations on Airbnb and similar vacation rental companies, report Arnaud Bouvier and Severine Rouby in Fortune. “The legislation, which has been in the works since April 2023, aims to slash tax breaks for tourist properties in a bid to curb short-term rentals amid shortages of affordable housing.”
According to the article, the number of furnished short-term rentals in the country shot up from 300,000 to 1.2 million in eight years, while housing costs have gone up.
Under the new law, “The tax allowance for furnished tourist accommodation would fall to 50 percent from 71 percent, with a cap lowered to 77,700 euros (83,500 dollars).” Local jurisdictions will also be allowed to reduce the rental duration from 120 days per year to 90 days per year and set quotas for furnished accommodations.
FULL STORY: France approves anti-Airbnb bill to crack down on the ‘explosive increase’ in tourist rentals

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Study Links Covid and Poor Driving
The effects of the virus, including ‘brain fog,’ can make driving more difficult and dangerous.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
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