Italian Tourist Spot Takes Action Against Short-Term Rentals Amid Housing Crisis

The historic city of Florence in Italy has banned platforms like Airbnb from its city center in an effort to address the housing crisis and protect the local population. The number of apartments listed on Airbnb has nearly tripled since 2016, causing a 42% spike in rental prices. The city government plans to incentivize property owners to convert short-term rentals into long-term ones, offering tax incentives and canceling property taxes for up to three years. The Italian government's plan to cap rental days at 120 per year is deemed insufficient by the mayor, who argues for more drastic measures. Cities like Florence and Venice have seen a decline in available housing, leading to protests and threats to their UNESCO protections.