PHILADELPHIA — The short-term rental industry, embodied by Airbnb, proved a polarizing subject at a Wednesday City Council hearing. Both hosts and neighborhood groups testified passionately, if at cross purposes, about the industry’s effect on Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.
The hearing was held at the behest of Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, whom industry groups have been lobbying to ease regulations that were passed two years ago and went into effect in January.
Thomas’ spokesperson described the hearing as a first step and said his office is open to amending the regulations.
