Arizona City is paying Airbnb hosts $14,000 to remove listings

Arizona city is embarking on a bold initiative to improve its housing options for locals.

The council-approved “Rent Local” program will see Airbnb hosts in Sedona receiving up to $US10,000 ($14,511) to remove their short-term listings from the vacation rental company.

The move is not to discourage travel to the area, but rather improve housing options for locals amid rent increases and the general uncertainty of the real estate market.

Airbnb hosts renting out properties such as a single room in a shared house will receive $US3,000 ($4,356), and $US10,000 ($14,511) will be handed out to those renting out three-bedroom properties.

A studio apartment will also see Arizona’s city council paying $US6,000 ($8,717) to Airbnb hosts.

The properties will be rented out to locals instead of tourists for at least a year.

There are certain requirements for renters, including having to work for an employer in Sedona for a minimum of 30 days and 30 hours per week.

Retirees and the disabled will also be included in the initiative.

Arizona has experienced a surge in domestic migration, according to the New York Times, welcoming 93,000 new residents in 2021.

Sedona is a desert town with day spas, galleries, boutiques and naturally rugged beauty, including canyons to explore. Local media has reported that there is not enough rental accommodation so that tourism industry workers can reside in the town.

NBC 12News reported that 15 per cent of Sedona’s homes are holiday lets which are priced at a rate that is unaffordable for locals.