So like, me and my sister snagged a house in Harlem like 20 years back. And let me tell you, that place started falling apart real quick – leaking roof, busted bathrooms, and a busted sidewalk. Even with decent jobs, we couldn’t keep up with the repairs. So, we thought, why not Airbnb it to make some extra cash? It wasn’t just helpful, it was necessary. But now, these new rules on short-term rentals are messing everything up. They’re supposed to help with the housing crisis, but they’re just making life harder for homeowners like us.
I’ve seen firsthand the struggles Black and Brown homeowners go through to keep their homes in good shape for their families. Owning a home isn’t just about having a roof over your head – it’s about securing a future, financial stability, and giving back to the community. And let me tell you, a lot of families in Harlem and the outer boroughs rely on short-term rentals to make ends meet. It’s not about being greedy investors, it’s about surviving.
It’s been a year and a half since these strict rules came into play, and rents in NYC are sky-high. Regular folks like us are scrambling to make ends meet, cutting back on everything, and some are even thinking about selling homes that have been in the family for ages. These policies aren’t fixing the housing crisis, they’re making it worse.
That’s why I’m teaming up with other homeowners to beg the NYC Council to chill out with these rules on short-term rentals. We’re not asking for much – just let us rent responsibly and still have a roof over our heads. These changes would let us share our homes without risking everything, and protect renters too. We need a fair solution to keep us in this city we love and call home. So come on, NYC Council, let’s make this happen.
