‘This is not a World Cup for the people’: residents in host cities sound alarm over housing affordability
Summary
More than 10 million people are expected to visit U.S. cities hosting the World Cup this summer, raising concerns about housing availability and affordability. Residents and advocates worry that short-term rentals will increase rent prices and displace tenants, while groups are working to protect renters and unhoused people during the event.Key Facts
- The World Cup will bring over 10 million visitors to 11 U.S. host cities.
- Hotels in these cities are not fully booked, but short-term rental listings have risen by up to 30%.
- Airbnb is offering homeowners a $750 bonus to list their properties, with some rentals costing up to $6,000 per night.
- Increased short-term rentals may reduce housing available to local renters and push rent prices higher.
- In New York City, efforts to lift short-term rental restrictions for the World Cup were stopped by the city council.
- Some New Jersey towns are imposing short-term rental bans, while others face high Airbnb prices around $1,000 per night.
- Advocacy groups like Tenants Not Tourists and Dignity 2026 aim to protect renters and unhoused people from eviction and arrests during the event.
- FIFA and host cities are developing human rights plans to address risks related to the World Cup, but only a few cities have made these plans public.
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