RENT CAP/ CONTROL NOW

As a concerned resident of Cape Town, witnessing the troubling economic implications of our city's alliance with Airbnb in the context of the Digital Nomad Visa. This partnership is inviting a surge of remote workers from various parts of the world, instigating a fierce competition for local rental properties. This situation, by extension, accelerates the transformation of vine-and-daisy sprawled residences into transient accommodations, thereby escalating housing costs for the local citizens. 

In our beautiful city, where our neighbors are already wrestling with growing rental prices, this scenario adds yet another financial burden to a region that is fondly known as "The Mother City". Additionally, Cape Town harbors a significant homeless population, and policies that inflate housing prices only exacerbate an already pressing problem. The current figures show that approximately 7,000 people are living on the streets in our city (Western Cape Government data).

Therefore, I implore authorities to reassess Cape Town's partnership with Airbnb concerning the Digital Nomad Visa. It is crucial that we prioritize the welfare of our local residents before accommodating the global digital workforce. We plead with the city to redirect their efforts towards ensuring reasonable rental costs, providing secure housing for all, and contributing towards a harmonious Cape Town.

Please endorse this petition to help convey our collective concerns to the City of Cape Town. Your support is instrumental in driving this essential change for our community. Let's create a Cape Town that is truly in sync with its locals' needs.