BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
Looking ahead
What they’re saying
Measuring the impact
Jackie McGraw, a communication special- ist for rental platform Airbnb, said Airbnb brought in more than 1.8 million guests to the city and contributed an estimated $1.6 billion in economic activity in 2023, including producing over $400 million in tax revenue. In Texas, STR owners must pay 6% of the cost of a room to the state’s hotel occupancy tax. Airbnb data for 2023 shows nearly $9 mil- lion was collected in Houston in local lodging and hotel taxes contributed by hosts. The average host in Houston also earned approximately $8,700 in supplemental income in 2023, according to the same data. A 2023 Airbnb survey of Houston showed: • 56% of hosts used the additional income to keep up with the rising cost of living. • 42% used the money to cover food and other basic expenses. • 10% said it helped them avoid eviction or foreclosure.
The proposed short-term rental regulations will return to the Quality of Life Committee on Dec. 9 for discussion. The meeting is open to the public and will include an opportunity for public comment. Ramirez said once a draft is nished, the proposal will need to be placed on a future City Council agenda. He said the committee is aiming to have the nal regulations presented to the council by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
“I am in favor of reasonable regulations that do not impede on the average Houstonian’s ability to rent their homes, but we have to nd a
way to address the bad actors that are creating a problem for everyone.” ABBIE KAMIN, DISTRICT C COUNCIL MEMBER
“We don’t want to discourage the responsible short-term rental owners, and I think these
Quality of Life Committee Dec. 9, 2 p.m. Anna Russell Council Chambers,
regulations won’t, but this is a way for the city to have some kind of control.” SALLIE ALCORN, ATLARGE COUNCIL MEMBER
second oor of City Hall 901 Bagby St., Houston
SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION
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