Airbnb landlords can help long-term accommodation list
THE Cathaoirleach of the Corca Dhuibhne- Castleisland Municipal District has said Airbnb property owners should look at offering their apartments or houses to people on Housing Assistance Payment or Rental Accommodation Scheme as COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the tourism industry.
Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald (Fianna Fáil) told The Kerryman that Airbnb property owners are now unable to provide accommodation following the Government’s directive for non-essential businesses to stop operating for the foreseeable future.
Cllr Fitzgerald said that there is an opportunity available, however, to such property owners, which might also benefit those in need of long-term housing.
“Unfortunately with the high demand for accommodation in Kerry, lots of owners were leaving the long-term accommodation market to go into the short-term accommodation market that Airbnb offered,” he said. “This was putting huge pressure on locals and people moving to work in Kerry to find affordable accommodation, and huge pressure on Kerry County Council to house people.
“As tourists bookings for the season have collapsed, Airbnb owners, like all in the tourist industry, face a very uncertain and challenging year.
“But Airbnb owners now have an option to rent their apartments or houses longterm to people under HAP or RAS, and this will help provide them with certainty in these unpredictable times.
“Unfortunately no one is in a position to say how long this COVID-19 crisis and emergency will continue, so if you have a place to let, you must look at all options available to you, and if it helps someone who is looking for long-term accommodation, all the better.”
The HAP is a rent-assistance payment, while the RAS is used by owners to provide housing for let to the council. Cllr Fitzgerald said he is available to contact for further information at (087) 603 9758, and he directed people also to e-mail queries to housing@kerrycoco.ie.