Towns need to study how home-sharing affects residents and businesses

Image courtesy of blog.airbnb.com

Home-sharing is disrupting life in some Chicago neighborhoods and in cities and towns across the country, and it’s already affecting some residents and businesses in Southland communities.

In Chicago, the City Council this week heard testimony from residents about proposed new regulations on the industry. Supporters say renting out rooms or their entire residence for a night or more generates income that allows them to stay in their homes.

Critics, on the other hand, complain of “Animal House”-like conditions in popular areas, with drunk revelers passed out in streets and noisy parties several nights a week.

Industry leaders like Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway say they should be free of regulation because they merely provide a platform that allows people in the new “gig” economy to conduct a transaction…Please click here to read Ted Slowik’s column in the Tribune/Daily Southtown.