Where do we grow now?

THE ISSUE AT LARGE: The Impact of Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals on Clarenville

Clarenville is at Risk of Being Priced Out by Platforms Like Airbnb

Clarenville is a small town with big potential - but that potential is being quietly sold off by the unchecked growth of short-term rentals (STRs) like Airbnb and Vrbo.

Over the past few years, Airbnb activity in Clarenville has surged:

20 to 50 active listings at any given time
Average income per unit: $12,000 to $15,000/year
Occupancy rates as high as 61%
Year-over-year growth: +10.1%

That may not sound like much - but in a town this size, removing even 20 to 50 units from the long-term rental pool directly affects housing availability and affordability.

What Happens When Airbnb Takes Over

Locals get priced out: When homeowners realize they can earn more on short-term stays, long-term rentals disappear.
Rent goes up: With fewer apartments available, single room rents rise fast. Some rental units in Clarenville are hitting $2500 - $3,500/month.
Neighbourhoods change: Homes meant for families turn into revolving-door rentals with no connection to community.
Tourism profits leave town: Out-of-province investors snap up properties, pulling money out of Clarenville while locals struggle.

This Isn’t Just a Housing Issue - It’s a Community Issue

The slow erosion of housing affects everything:

Local businesses lose staff who can't afford to live here.
New residents can’t find a place to rent.
Seniors downsizing, young families starting out, and workers moving in are all hit hardest.

If we don’t act, Clarenville could go the way of other towns that became short-term-rental playgrounds for tourists - while long-term residents were forced to leave.

What We Can Do

Clarenville can get ahead of this problem - but only if we act now:

Support local landlords: Offer incentives for long-term rentals over short-term profits.
Redirect tourism benefits: Reinvest revenue from STR registration into housing and small business development.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t about being anti-tourism. It’s about being pro-community.

If we let Clarenville become a town of ghost homes, short stays, and unaffordable rents-we lose what makes this place worth visiting in the first place.

We can - and should - grow wisely, protect locals, and support tourism-all at once.

🏠 Affordable Housing – Urgent, Not Optional

Clarenville needs accessible,

affordable housing now, not later.

Check Out The Town of Clarenville's

Housing Needs Fact Sheet Here.

Affordable Retail & Small‑Business Space

A dozen shops on Memorial Drive alone - including my own - Vintage Vibes - were uprooted this year, many pushed out by skyrocketing rents, corporations and absentee‑landlords.

Entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of Clarenville - but only if they can find space and keep the lights on.

🌎 Tourism That Lifts Us Up

Visitors should boost Clarenville, not overwhelm it.

🚦 We Require Smart Traffic & Infrastructure

🎙️ Why Vote For Shawn?

Former Newspaper Editor – I ask the right questions, connect dots, and turn talk into action.

20+ years of listening and creating - from newsroom deadlines to wedding‑day whispers.

20+ year small business owner – thousands of sit down kitchen‑table conversations have taught me how to find common ground with almost anyone.

Tech‑savvy voice under 50 – ready to communicate and keep Clarenville competitive.

I bring a creative - connect the dots - mindset to every project.

Do you believe Clarenville can be better?

Want to build it together?

🗳 On October 2nd, 2025

Vote Shawn Taylor

for Clarenville Town Council.