Take Action! February Round Up
Before you check out for Mardi Gras — check IN with your City Government
Mardi Gras season is upon us, but there’s some big decisions in City Hall we don’t want you to miss. Take these 3 actions before the Mardi Gras holiday.
Call your Council Members about Short Term Rentals before February 16th
City Council is working on a new plan for short term rental regulations NOW, and they need to hear from you. Here’s a breakdown on how we got here, what options the city is considering, and what comes next, summarized from WWNO.
Why now: The City passed STR regulations in 2019 that put significant limitations on commercial short term rentals in residential neighborhoods. Just last year, a group of STR owners sued the City over the regulations, and the 5th Circuit Court struck down the old regulations. The City Council put a temporary ban on new permits a few months ago while they develop new regulations. They have until March 31st to adopt a new plan. Advocates expect the new regulations to be heard at the February 16th Regular Council Meeting.
Why this matters: Whether you rent or own your home, and no matter what neighborhood you live in, Short Term Rentals affect all of us. According to Airbnb data, there are about 6,500 active short term rentals in New Orleans. Of those, about 1,200 are permitted by the City. Housing advocates are calling for more restrictive policies in residential neighborhoods to protect long-term residents from the housing crisis, and for better enforcement. STR operators are hoping for less restrictive policies that allow property owners to lease their whole home as an STR in residential neighborhoods, even if they don’t live on the property.
Who & how to call: Call your district council member and at least 1 of the 2 at large council members. (Contact info is here) Tell the staffer your name and address, and then share how short term rentals impact you and your community.
Learn More:
Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance’s 2019 STR Impact Study
Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center’s Action Guide
Submit your comment to the Transportation Committee February 14th
The City Council Transportation Committee is taking some of their the first steps to exploring Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in New Orleans! Learn more about BRT here, and plan to comment & attend the 2/14 Transportation Committee meeting to learn more about how this innovation could transform our streets, sidewalks, and bus stops in critical areas of the City.
