Study Analyses the Airbnb Effect in the New York City Housing Market

Less "sharing economy" and more normal economy for New York City in New York City, according to the findings of a recent study.

1 minute read

March 7, 2018, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Alastair Boone shares news of a recent report [pdf] by David Wachsmuth, a professor of Urban Planning at McGill University, that "zeroes in on New York City in an effort to answer the question of exactly what home sharing is doing to the city."

By home sharing, Boone mostly refers to Airbnb, which has been the subject of many previous studies into the impact of short-term rentals on housing markets and the larger economy. Wachsmuth's study focuses on New York City as the third largest and oldest short-term rental market in the world as a case study for the consequences other communities might expect to encounter as short-term rentals gain a larger footprint.

The study did, in fact, find evidence to support the idea that Airbnb "has indeed raised rents, removed housing from the rental market, and fueled gentrification," according to Boone. The study also found evidence that many Airbnb hosts are operating in defiance of the Airbnb's "one host, one home" policy is introduced in New York City in 2016. Commercial operators are responsible for many of the negative effects from short-term rentals in New York City, and they're illegal, according to the article.

Monday, March 5, 2018 in CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City