A team of experts will look into the impact ofd Airbnbs and other short lets in a part of the UK with an acute housing shortage.

The Devon Housing Commission, which is made up of experts, councillors, and parliamentarians, have been tasked with making a strong case to present to the government on how to approach issues such as homelessness, affordability and second homes.

Lord Richard Best, commission chair, says: “By bringing together those with a major role across the county the commission will be a powerful voice for the importance of good quality housing for health and the economy.

“The commission will allow us to fully understand the origins of current pressures and look for innovative solutions from collective local action or significant policy change.”

On the agenda of issues to investigate will be the impact of Airbnbs and other short lets in the popular tourist county.

The commission is being funded by the University of Exeter and local authorities across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay. 

In 2021 the Devon County Council claimed rising house prices and a lack of rental properties in the area had resulted in a housing emergency. 

Now the commission, according to the University of Exeter, is set to seek views from communities in Devon which will help inform the case it makes to the government: in particular this will focus on an alleged shortage of appropriate homes plus the challenges of bodies delivered housing in rural communities whilst protecting the environment.

Councillor Mandy Ewings, leader of West Devon Borough Council and chair of the Devon Housing Task Force, which created the commission, said the new plan was a ‘real opportunity’ to bring together people and expertise.