Councilmember Narcisse’s bill pushes for amendments to short-term rental rules

Many of New York City’s small homeowners view the supplemental income they could make renting out their property with third-party booking platforms, like Airbnb, as a “lifeline.” Especially, considering the dual issues of skyrocketing housing and affordability costs.

A coalition of Black electeds and housing advocates, with the backing of Airbnb, are pushing to pass legislation to amend the short-term rental (STR) laws in the city.

“You know how difficult it is in New York City to own your home? The tenants, the taxes,” said Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, who is the bill sponsor for Intro. 948. This bill would increase the number of people allowed to stay in short-term rentals in one- and two-family homes, and allow homeowners to have guests without being physically present at the property. It would also address the ‘unlocked doors provision,’ similar to Councilmember Farah Louis’ bill Intro. 1107.

Narcisse, a former nurse, said she worked three jobs while raising her children as a single mother to afford her mortgage. There are plenty of homeowners in her community in Canarsie that are similarly situated and barely making ends meet, she said.

Mayor Eric Adams fought against a legal challenge from Airbnb to get Local Law 18 (or the Short-Term Rental Registration Law) passed in 2022, cracking down on “illegal” rentals that weren’t up to code, increasing rents, inflating home prices in residential neighborhoods, and depleting available housing stock. Narcisse maintained that her bill would not be “turning homes into hotels.”

“It allows families to maintain their homes. That’s all we’re trying to do. This is not a free-for-all,” said Narcisse. “Even after this bill passes, New York City will still have the toughest short-term rent laws in this country. Every safety zoning registration rule remains fully in place. This bill simply restores fairness for responsible homeowners. It doesn’t pack homes with renters who open the door for developers, it’s just giving the people a chance.”

Narcisse was joined by Councilmembers Kevin Riley and Selvena Brooks-Powers, New York State National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Executive Director Chris Alexander, and housing advocates for a press conference at Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem on Friday, October 31.

“The homeowners I see every day in my district in the Northeast Bronx are hard-working families who build something meaningful. They pay their mortgages, invest in their communities, and create a foundation of stability for their children,” said Riley. “They are not alone. Families across New York City, from Brooklyn to right here in Harlem, face the same challenges. For too long, the city’s rules have made it harder, not easier, for these families to keep what they work so hard to earn. Intro 948A, it’s about giving those families a fair shot, protecting Black and Brown home ownership, and making sure the families who built these neighborhoods can stay here and thrive.”

Brooks-Powers added that the current STR laws unfairly punish homeowners, and it’s entirely possible to protect tenants and small landlords at the same time. “Since the foreclosure crisis, Black homeowners have relied on supplemental income to stay afloat and build generational wealth. For many, short-term hosting provides an additional support needed to cover mortgages, utilities, and property taxes,” said Brooks-Powers. “As we know, the city has lost nearly 200,000 Black residents since 2000, a reduction of about 9%.”

NAACP New York State Conference Executive Director Chris Alexander concurred that Black and Brown homeowners are already disproportionately impacted by racial barriers, predatory lending, and foreclosure. “It’s a problem that compounds wealth and intergenerational equity for Black homes, and it cannot be ignored,” said Alexander. “The economic harm of a devalued home is not abstract. It’s real money lost for Black neighborhoods that [need] mobility, investment, and family stability. We’re proud to support this legislation.”