New York Daily News reports that New York City will spend US$10 million over the next three years in an attempt to shut down its illegal hotel market.
The funding will be given to the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement, which previously only went after violators in response to complaints. The office plans to hire new staffers, compile data to find illegal operators, and launch a public awareness campaign to inform people what their rights are under New York’s hotel occupancy law, which prohibits most people from renting out their apartments for less than 30 days. Some exemptions are made for one- and two-family homes.
The increased funding comes after de Blasio administration officials said illegal hotels drain the already scare New York housing market of affordable units.