Labour MP Rachel Blake has voiced concerns in the House of Commons about the growing presence of Airbnb in London and its detrimental effects on local communities and the supply of private rental housing. According to Blake, the rise in short-term lets is making it increasingly difficult for families to find stable homes, with many being forced to move away from their local areas.
Blake, who represents the Cities of London and Westminster, shared her worries about how Airbnb is reducing the number of properties available for long-term rent, which is having a significant impact on housing stock in the capital. She noted that families are bearing the brunt of this issue, often being pushed into temporary accommodation far from their support systems, schools, and workplaces.
During her address to the Commons, Blake drew attention to the personal stories of affected families, which illustrate the real-life consequences of the housing shortage. She explained how families are being displaced, leading to considerable disruption to their lives, especially for children who are forced to move away from their schools.
In one example, Blake highlighted the case of a mother who has been relocated to Dagenham, over 12 miles from her daughter’s school. This move has caused significant hardship, not only because of the distance but also because the mother works as a teaching assistant at the same school. The separation from their community and the additional travel costs have added stress to an already difficult situation.
Blake’s remarks underscored the urgent need for the government to address the issue of short-term lets and consider how platforms like Airbnb are contributing to the housing crisis. She called for more robust regulation to ensure that local families are not left struggling to find homes due to the impact of these platforms on the rental market.
A Labour MP has brought attention to the increasingly difficult decisions that families in London are having to make due to the ongoing housing crisis and lack of affordable rental properties. She recounted the story of a mother who has been forced into temporary accommodation far from her original home, and is now faced with tough choices regarding her family’s future. The mother, recognising the long-term reality of her situation, is considering moving her son to a school in Dagenham, the area where they are currently housed. This would help reduce his daily commute, which is currently four hours, but would also require her to give up her job due to the lack of available childcare support.
The MP explained that this mother is not alone in facing such dilemmas, with many families in London dealing with similar challenges. The scarcity of affordable housing, coupled with high private rental costs, means that families are often displaced far from their communities, schools, and workplaces. The ripple effect of this displacement can be seen in the disruption to children’s education, parents’ employment, and the overall stability of family life.
She further highlighted that moving children to new schools and neighbourhoods in these circumstances isn’t just about logistics – it impacts their social connections and emotional wellbeing. Children lose friends and familiar environments, while parents are forced to make difficult compromises between work and providing care for their children. The MP pointed out that these constant upheavals are taking a toll on families, leaving them struggling to maintain any sense of normalcy or security.
In her speech, the MP called for urgent action to address the root causes of the housing crisis, particularly the lack of affordable private rental properties and the growing dominance of short-term lets like Airbnb. She urged the government to put families at the heart of housing policy and ensure that no one is forced to choose between their livelihood and their children’s future.
A Labour MP has raised concerns about the growing strain on local authority resources due to the increasing number of households in temporary accommodation. She highlighted how the shortage of affordable homes is a direct cause of this pressure, emphasising that the lack of available housing is making it difficult for councils to support families effectively. The rising costs associated with temporary housing are putting a significant burden on local authorities, with the situation worsening as more families are left without permanent homes.
The MP pointed out that the rise in short-term lets of entire homes is contributing to the worsening availability of private rental properties. While recognising that London, as an international city, needs flexible accommodation options for visitors, she stressed that the city’s long-term success depends on ensuring sufficient housing for residents. The increasing use of homes as short-term rentals, particularly through platforms like Airbnb, is making it harder for local families to find stable, affordable housing.
She went on to say that the continuous use of entire homes for short-term lets is disrupting communities, as it prevents residents from forming long-term ties with their neighbours. This practice is breaking up established communities, making it more challenging for people to remain in the areas where they have lived and worked for years. The MP warned that unless action is taken, the housing crisis will continue to fragment London’s communities.
Citing data from Westminster council, which covers her constituency, the MP noted that around 13,000 properties in the borough are listed as short lets. In some parts of Westminster, such as the West End ward, 20% of housing stock is used for short-term lets, while 30,000 properties across the borough are not permanently occupied. These figures demonstrate the scale of the issue and the urgent need to address the impact of short-term rentals on the housing market.
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