Community Group Urges 'Yes' Vote On Airbnb Regulations

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A community group is recommending residents vote "yes" in favor of new regulations that would govern services like Airbnb in Jersey City.

Jersey City Together issued a statement this week recommending people approve the regulations regarding short-term rentals in Jersey City via a municipal question on Election Day, Nov. 5.

"Jersey City is in a housing crisis. With 40 percent of families in housing stress, we have to act on every level — building new housing that is affordable for families, preserving existing, lower-cost housing (like apartments under rent control), and requiring more affordable units from developers," Jersey City Together said in a statement. "When thousands of housing units are artificially taken off the market through short-term rentals, this has a direct impact on affordability as well. Smart regulations — like those that prevent rent-controlled units from being used as short-term rentals — must be part of the solution. Jersey City Together recommends a 'yes' vote on Jersey City Municipal Question No. 1."

The group Keep Our Homes has come out against the regulations, and wants residents to vote down the question.

Keep Our Homes is urging residents to vote "no" to the question. Keep Our Homes is a public question committee backed by members of the Jersey City short-term rental community and Airbnb.

The City Council passed an ordinance earlier this year calling for new restrictions on short-term rental services like Airbnb, NJ.com reported. But, Airbnb successfully petitioned to have residents vote on the matter.

After consideration, JCTogether’s strategy & housing teams recommend a ‘yes’ vote on JC municipal question 1. Our statement: “Jersey City is in a housing crisis. With 40% of families in housing stress, we have to act on every level — building new housing that is affordable... 1/3 pic.twitter.com/cIYHoLBcFL

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com