By Ben Trefny and Charlotte Silver, KALW Crosscurrents
The sharing economy in San Francisco is humming. Companies like Airbnb have figured out how to make a lot of money by using existing housing stock to meet consumer demand, which in Airbnb’s case is coming from tourists. Fast Company magazine declared AirBnB will soon become “the world’s largest hotel chain – without owning a single hotel.”
On the surface, it might look like a win-win. But where somebody’s getting paid, somebody is usually losing out. In the case of tourist rentals, people looking for permanent, long-term housing may be the losers.
Cities around the world have recently become more militant in enforcing laws governing this industry, so how has San Francisco responded?
“Great spot along the cable car line!”
Read the complete story at KALW Crosscurrents.
