We asked people outside of the Phoenix Theatre for their thoughts on short-term rentals. Here’s what they said
Short-term rentals in Greater Victoria. Screenshot via PadMapper.
Felix Mann, fourth-year political science student
“Negative. I absolutely despise Airbnb — I’m not even joking. I think a huge part of why the housing market has been in such bad shape is because of the boom of Airbnb. People started buying more houses and more properties for more assets … and driv[ing] the prices up.”
“Now we’re starting to see people realizing that [Air]bnbs suck, and that’s why there’s this weird collapse going on right now.”
Saiyah Auijla, fourth-year political science student
“[Airbnb] as an opportunity for people to get into the gig economy and rent rooms from their houses out — fair enough. I think that’s a good alternative. [In] under-explored locations, like out in Sooke, or in Shirley, or up inTofino, there are a lot of really unique remote properties that people can go explore and experience locations that are not just dead centre in the city … I think that’s a really great feature.”
“The ways that Airbnb offers an experience at a cheaper price than a hotel can be attractive, [but that] ultimately denigrates the actual tourism industry and the ways in which people who live in Victoria make their money … I worked as a server in a hotel restaurant, and the main clientele that you get are people who are staying at that hotel … If people are choosing to stay at an Airbnb instead and maybe going and getting a fast food breakfast, that takes away from my ability to make money. ”
Suzanne Bradbury, co-owner, Fort Properties Ltd.
“I’ve thought about this a lot because the rules around Airbnb have changed quite significantly in Victoria over the last few years. And a lot of people who have based real estate investments and pro formas on the existence of Airbnb [have] found that their projects [are] no longer viable. I think Airbnb has a place in most communities. But, I do think it’s important to have the rules be really clear and regulated so there is enough affordable housing for our workforce and the rest of the citizenry.”
Kim Hartung, librarian, Royal Roads University
“I’m a renter. So, obviously, I feel generally negatively about Airbnbs and commodifying housing. I think it’s more important for people to be able to find places to live than for people who already own homes to have another stream of income.”
Dr. Evanthia Baboula, associate dean of art history and visual studies, University of Victoria
“I have never used it. But I think it is an issue that needs some control … I come from Athens, and they are trying to control the situation because there is a lot of tax evasion with Airbnbs, and it’s changing the urban make-up of the city, so I think a little control is needed.”
