Airbnb Not Main Cause of Prague Housing Crisis, Analysis Finds; 'Housing Debt' is Key Problem

A recent analysis challenges the common perception that platforms like Airbnb are the main drivers of Prague's housing crisis. The study, conducted by the "Pražské bydlení pod lupou" (Prague Housing Under the Magnifying Glass) project, indicates that even a complete ban on short-term rentals would only alleviate the city's housing shortage by a mere 8.6 percent.

Jakub Kuneš, the project's guarantor, stated that the issue of short-term rentals, often associated with Airbnb, is frequently cited in discussions about Prague's housing problems. However, the analysis points to a much deeper and more systemic issue.

According to Kuneš, the true culprit behind Prague's housing deficit is what he terms "housing debt." This suggests a long-standing problem of insufficient housing construction or availability relative to demand, which short-term rentals only marginally exacerbate. The findings imply that addressing the housing crisis requires tackling fundamental issues beyond regulating platforms like Airbnb.

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Podle nové analýzy projektu Pražské bydlení pod lupou by však i úplný zákaz těchto pronájmů odstranil jen 8,6 procenta ze současného bytového deficitu.