""When a city that has given them so much now is facing a budget deficit of $800 million in the next two fiscal years, what did Airbnb do? They filed lawsuits against us so they don't have to pay their fair share," said San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, speaking in front of the company's headquarters at a Wednesday press conference announcing the boycott campaign."
"Boycott supporters say two-thirds of the money Airbnb wants returned is now tied up while the lawsuit plays out, meaning it can't be used on city services and leaves San Francisco with less leeway to fill gaps left by President Trump's funding cuts. Fred Sherburn-Zimmer, the Housing Rights Committee's director of policy and campaigns, said she also remembered Airbnb's early impact on the city's housing market."
"Airbnb signage on display at WIRED25 offices on Oct. 12, 2018, in San Francisco, California. San Francisco labor unions, advocacy groups and elected officials called for a boycott of Airbnb on Wednesday. It's the latest push to get Airbnb to drop its lawsuit against San Francisco, which organizers said was the company trying to avoid paying its fair share. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for WIRED25)"
San Francisco labor unions, advocacy groups and elected officials called for a boycott of Airbnb over the company's legal effort to obtain a large business tax refund from the city. Leaders said Airbnb's lawsuit has tied up about two-thirds of the refund, preventing those funds from being used for city services amid an $800 million projected budget deficit. Officials criticized Airbnb for avoiding local regulations and for early impacts on the housing market. Housing advocates recalled the company's role in reducing housing availability. Representatives for Airbnb and the city met to discuss a trial schedule, with trial currently set for February.
Read at Kqed
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