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The City of Hudson is contemplating a change to its short-term rental policy that would allow residents to rent out their homes for up to 120 days a year, doubling the current limit of 60 days. The Hudson Common Council will discuss the proposal at their meeting on Tuesday (March 12).
The proposed change would apply to properties listed on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, provided the owner resides on-site for at least 50 days per year. Common Council President Margaret Morris described the proposal as "perfectly reasonable" and suggested it could lead to a broader review of the city's rental policies. According to Times Union, Morris said, "I think it wouldn't hurt to take a look at the whole law."
Supporters of the change argue that it would increase short-term rental revenue without affecting the long-term housing market. However, critics, including Jenny Kutner from the progressive activist group For the Many, disagree. Kutner believes that increasing vacation rentals could worsen Hudson's housing crisis, as reported by iHeart. "It would exacerbate an already bad situation," she said.
The Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition has called for more data to assess the impact of the proposed change. Elliott Matos, the managing director, emphasized the need for a vacancy study to understand housing availability in the area. Tanya Jackson, the director of cultural power and narrative change at the coalition, stressed the importance of considering community needs in housing policy planning.
The Common Council's decision could lead to a vote or further committee review. As Hudson grapples with its affordable housing crisis, the outcome of this proposal could have significant implications for the city's future.