Hello all —

Starting tomorrow, Thursday March 2nd, at 10am, New Orleans City Council will begin debating and hearing public comment on the upcoming new regulations for short-term rentals, which have devastated New Orleans communities by jacking up the cost of housing and gentrifying deep-rooted neighborhoods. We need you to add your voice to the chorus of New Orleanians demanding an outright ban on STRs, and to make it clear that the City Planning Commission’s and Councilmembers’ proposed regulations are inadequate. In addition to demanding an outright ban, here are some other points to consider:

• Homes are for people, not for profits. Speculation and profiteering have made living here unaffordable. By largely maintaining the STR status quo, city council is privileging STR owners’ profits over housing for hospitality workers and culture bearers who are struggling to stay within the actual city limits.

• One STR per “blockface” is far too many. The CPC’s recommended density restrictions are too broad, and too permissive. Any density requirements should restrict the spread of STRs, not give them room to expand.

• Weak regulations are undermined by weaker enforcement. Watering down necessary restrictions on STRs will only delay city agencies tasked with enforcing compliance. Clearer regulations on STRs citywide will allow understaffed departments to take swift actions in adjudicating, levying fines, and delisting. An outright ban is the clearest regulation.

• STRs hurt communities across the city. As socialists, we know that capitalism is killing our city with increased housing costs, evictions, and the loss of neighborhoods’ cultural heritage. Let's be clear: policies that allow AirBnbs to proliferate are austerity politics wrapped up in entrepreneurial clothing. The displacement of people – predominantly working class, Black renters – brought on by STRs ensures that the city does not have to spend money on their families and children in the future. STRs drive gentrification, replacing disadvantaged New Orleanians with a wealthier, whiter constituency. If we want people to live here, especially working class people who make New Orleans the New Orleans we love — it's time to ban STRs outright.

We encourage you to attend the meeting and speak out! Again, the meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, March 2nd, at 10am.

If you can't be there in person, make it your priority to leave a comment here by selecting agenda item Regular 01. Comments are open until 8am tomorrow morning.

Following tomorrow's meeting, mark these dates in your calendar:

• Monday, March 13th at 10 am is the Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting where regulations will be considered.

• Thursday, March 23rd at 11am is theRegular City Council Meeting where final regulations will be voted on.

Thanks for taking action! Solidarity forever.

DSA New Orleans Local Council