As municipal and provincial regulations clamp down on Airbnb and other short-term rental operators, rent costs are dropping ‘significantly.’

Rent costs in several British Columbia communities dropped ‘significantly’ after local governments imposed stricter regulations on short-term rentals. “The rents as of October, 2023, were lower by $110 a month compared with the previous year in 52 key neighbourhoods – down to $1,821 from $1,931 – according to a statistical analysis by McGill University associate professor David Wachsmuth and researcher Cloé St.-Hilaire. In Vancouver, it is $147 a month less on average,” writes Frances Bula in The Globe and Mail.
In addition to local regulations, new provincial laws went into effect this May in B.C. cities of over 10,000 people not classified as ‘resort communities.’ “They limit owners to renting out space in their principal residence only if the owner is away for a short period of time or is renting out a room while continuing to live there.” Similar laws have been in place in Vancouver and other cities, but the provincial regulations represent the largest-scale effort to regulate STRs.
FULL STORY: Rent in B.C. communities declined after short-term vacation home rules were implemented, report finds

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie