When Louis Koorndyk began renting his Las Vegas property on Airbnb to fund his parents’ assisted living care, he did not anticipate accruing $62,000 in fines and engaging in a legal battle with the state of Nevada.
In 1998, Clark County implemented a ban on short-term rentals to protect the hotel industry. This regulation limited supplemental income for residents and reduced rental options in a key tourism area. To enforce the ban, local authorities encouraged neighbors to report any suspected violations.
Louis was among many residents penalized by the county for using his property as he deemed fit. In response, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) has joined efforts to overturn the county’s short-term housing ban and empower residents like Louis to advocate effectively.
Louis relocated to Las Vegas in 1989 primarily to oversee care for his aging parents. By 2018, rising expenses forced him to rent out his spare property on Airbnb. Demand for Louis' rental grew until he received a letter from the county informing him of the ban on short-term rentals occupied for less than 31 days. A subsequent letter demanded $62,000 in fines.
The financial burden of these fines made it difficult for Louis to afford his parents’ assisted living costs, forcing him to move them into his home without access to 24/7 nursing care. His mother later suffered a fatal fall while unsupervised.
“I could not believe the government was preventing me from taking care of my parents properly,” Louis recalled.
Disheartened by Louis’ story, Wiz Rouzard, Deputy State Director for AFP-Nevada, recognized the need for change and contacted him immediately. Wiz discovered that county regulations were significantly impacting residents by imposing heavy fines aimed at protecting the hotel industry from competition.
AFP mobilized its resources and network within the Nevada State House to highlight stories like Louis’. They organized activists at the Capitol and engaged community members through local meetings and events.
Using strategies learned from AFP, Louis co-founded the Greater Las Vegas Short Term Rental Association (GLVSTRA) to combat restrictive regulations affecting property rights. He recently initiated legal action against county and state governments over vague ordinances controlling the industry.
“AFP inspires people to believe in themselves,” Wiz stated. “We give them tools and training to perfect their voice and opportunities to make effective change.”
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