If true this is pretty strong further evidence that Airbnb has had a really significant negative effect on affordable housing in these cities.
It's fantastic for "tourists" (even though you were there 6 months you were essentially a tourist) at the expense of residents.
Unfortunately see it every day as I'm based in New Orleans which is a tourism-dependent city and ABNB has just been devastating for locals who can't afford to buy property.
Why you don't blame city hall that refuses to build new housing, and d milks tourism for everything at expenses of locals?
How many apartments are on Airbnb? 10%? And probably only in centre.
And some people like me actually stay in airbnbs long term. It is easy to negotiate reasonable price outside of tourist season. Normal landlord is way too expensive and does not bother with basic maintenance.
It is xenophobia, because many cities are blaming their problems on 'tourists'. But those are often foreign workers and students.
With an assured shorthold tenancy in England it's quite difficult to evict tenants in the first six months; deposits must be protected and held by an independent organisation; there are some legally mandated safety checks, etc etc.