'My sons work in this city - but they can't afford to live here'

York has long benefitted as a hotspot for both tourists and students - but residents are worried its popularity is causing major issues for the housing market. We meet people fearful for the city's future if action is not taken.

Painter and decorator Andrew Hay is standing on the York street where his grandparents used to live - and where his dad grew up.

He said it used to be a busy, lively community - but was now a "ghost town" during the university holidays, when the students renting houses have gone home.

Mr Hay said similar streets could be found across the city - with a huge impact on York's housing stock, pushing prices through the roof.

"This street - and others like it - are being neglected," he said.

"It's unrecognisable and it's all down to student lets and holiday lets.

"They've made it pretty much impossible for the next generation - like my children - to buy a house in the area."

Mr Hay said his two sons - both aged in their 20s - both worked in York, but would have to look to the city's outskirts, or further away, to buy homes of their own.

He said: "They will have to commute back into York - that's not ideal.

"They are saving for a property, but when you look around there's nothing in their price range in the York area.

"Even the surrounding towns - which are a bit cheaper - are getting more expensive because people are being pushed out of York."

Asked what the solution was, Mr Hay said he feared it was too late for some streets in York.

"I don't know how many people would want to, or be able to afford, to buy a house in those areas," he said.

"It is just too expensive.

"If nothing is done, in 15 to 20 years' time local people won't be living in York.

"It will all be tourists and students."

In a joint statement, York St John University and the University of York said students were "our future key workers and professionals," and "contribute hugely to the local economy, workforce and cultural life of our city".

"We continue to work with our partners to lobby for better planning that takes student needs into account, reduces pressure on local housing and promotes thriving communities," the statement said.

York Central's Labour MP, Rachael Maskell, has long campaigned on problems linked to the city's housing shortage and the growth of the short-term letting market.

Maskell said a house that was turned into a short-term let was no longer available as a family home, and those in the city centre were often used as "party houses".

The MP has put a private members' bill before Parliament - it is due back in the House of Commons in the autumn - which would mean a property had to be licensed before it could become a short-term let.

Maskell said: "That means the local authority would get money to fund the scheme but real controls would be put in place.

"Tourism is really important, so much of our economy is built on it, it is important for jobs and for showing our incredible city across the world.

"So it is hugely important, but we have to hold it in balance."

Airbnb is a major player in York's short-term letting market.

Speaking about the issue in Parliament in 2023, Maskell said there were about 2,000 Airbnbs in her constituency.

The firm said York's housing pressures were not down to short-term lets, but to the failure to build enough new homes.

A spokesperson said listings rented on Airbnb for 90 nights or more in York made up just 0.55% of local housing stock.

"Many hosts on Airbnb are everyday people renting their place casually to make ends meet, while travel on Airbnb brings £44m to the local economy, supporting nearly 700 jobs and spreading the benefits of tourism to all," they said.

As Mr Hay was speaking, a conference was being held a couple of miles across the city at York St John University.

It was being held to look for ways to make tourism more "sustainable," so it benefitted everyone living in a popular tourist spot, and not just people who work in the trade.

The event was run by Good Organisation, which has set up a tourism assembly - made up of York residents - to give locals a voice in a £1.7bn industry that brings 9m visitors to the city every year.

Natasha Almond, the organisation's director, said: "House prices going up is a huge issue.

"Lots of people love the city, want to come and have a second home here, they know they can make money out of holiday accommodation.

"But the situation with Airbnb and house prices has tipped over - and we've seen an increase in homelessness because of that."

Ms Almond said one solution suggested by Good Organisation was a "Fair BnB" system - based on the original Airbnb system of renting out a room.

"People would still be earning money, benefiting from tourism, but not taking the whole house off the market," she said.

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