LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Cape Town’s Airbnb surge exacerbating the housing crisis — what are political parties proposing?

Ahead of the 2026 local elections, political parties contesting the Cape Town mayoral seat are addressing the city's severe housing shortage, which is being exacerbated by a surge in short-term rentals like Airbnb. Major parties running for the seat were asked to outline their views on the crisis and detail their proposed policy solutions to tackle the housing deficit.

The intersection of the tourism-driven short-term rental market and the accessibility of long-term residential housing has become a central debate in the local electoral landscape. The proposals put forward by the competing mayoral candidates are expected to influence voter decisions as housing affordability and availability remain pressing concerns for residents of Cape Town.