As part of the electoral process/race, El Nuevo Dia interviewed the 4 gubernatorial candidates on affordable housing and related issues, including their positions on STR growth/regulations. For your benefit, we are including each candidate’s complete interview in Spanish, together with a translation of their comments on STR.
JENNIFFER GONZALEZ – PARTIDO NUEVO PROGRESISTA (PNP)
Jenniffer González Interview >
About STR – Meanwhile, regarding short-term rentals, she did not want to venture to state a position regarding potential regulation. She stressed that “they are private properties,” which could be the livelihood of some people.
JESUS MANUEL ORTIZ – PARTIDO POPULAR DEMOCRATICO (PPD)
Jesús Manuel Ortiz Interview >
About STR – When talking about the housing crisis, one of the factors highlighted is the impact of the increase in short-term rentals on communities and the market. Faced with this reality, Ortiz contemplates a “reasonable” regulation, as he highlighted that it is a “complex” issue because it has different fronts. For example, whether it is a commercial activity or not, the impact on communities and gentrification. “I propose to regulate them, and that regulation must be responsible and must include a discussion with the different sectors involved in this situation. It cannot be a regulation that, in the end, restricts one thing versus another. A balance of interests must be made so that a person can use their property in an orderly manner and that it does not have a disproportionate impact on the community,” he pointed out.
JUAN DALMAU – ALIANZA CIUDADANA (PIP/MVC)
About STR – Along these lines, he also favored regulating short-term rentals to avoid their impact on housing prices and promote harmony in communities. “We must regulate it. It is not about prohibiting short-term rentals because, after all, there are Puerto Ricans who use that as a mechanism for income and economic investment,” he considered.
JAVIER JIMENEZ – PARTIDO DIGNIDAD (PD)
About STR – When talking about the housing shortage, the proliferation of short-term rentals is often brought up as a factor that affects the market, both in availability and affordability. However, Jiménez considers that this industry represents, rather, an “accessible” economic development opportunity for people to supplement their salaries and has also increased the availability of tourist accommodation. “I don’t think we should restrict that industry from continuing to grow. I believe that it is an opportunity for us to continue building and making homes available for people who want to acquire their home to live in,” he expressed. However, he understands that there must be a “balance” between promoting economic development, guaranteeing the use of private property and the tranquility of residents in the communities. “That balance must exist, but I believe it has been an opportunity for us, in Puerto Rico, to have more tourism, to have more economy due to tourism, and our people, mostly middle class, to have the opportunity to generate income,” he indicated.