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Warren, joined by Senators Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Dianne
Feinstein of California, urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
to examine the rapid growth of such businesses as Airbnb,
HomeAway, VRBO and FlipKey and determine their impact on
housing.
"We are concerned that short-term rentals may be exacerbating
housing shortages and driving up the cost of housing in our
communities," the senators said in a letter to FTC Chairwoman
Edith Ramirez.
"We have also read troubling reports of racial discrimination on
some short-term rental platforms."
The senators asked Ramirez to study and quantify the degree to
which individuals are using short-term rental sites to operate
businesses. They acknowledged that short-term lodging firms have
sparked innovation, increased competition and provided new means
for earning extra income.
Warren, a Massachusetts senator who leads the Democratic Party's
populist wing, is thought to be on the short list of individuals
presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is considering as
a running mate.
Warren was the only Democratic woman in the U.S. Senate who did
not endorse Clinton during her primary campaign against her
populist rival, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Warren endorsed Clinton last month and the two campaigned
together at a raucous event in Cincinnati, Ohio, that focused on
improving the U.S. economy.
(Reporting by Amanda Becker; Editing by Richard Chang)
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