NYC campaign launches against Airbnb

NEW YORK - A group of New York elected officials, community activists and housing advocates is launching a campaign against the home-sharing company Airbnb.

Airbnb matches homeowners and travelers, providing a lodging alternative to hotels.

Opponents say it is hurting the hotel industry and landlords and inconveniencing other apartment building tenants.

The group that gathered in front of City Hall on Friday compared the company to the owners of illegal hotels.

The anti-Airbnb group called itself Share Better. It was joined by elected officials that included Public Advocate Letitia James, State Sen. Adriano Espaillat and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.

Many hosts who live in rent-controlled apartments are breaking the law, the group says. State Sen. Brad Hoylman said unscrupulous landlords are illegally profiting from their affordable housing units, CBS New York reported.

Airbnb denies doing anything illegal and is conducting its own ad campaign touting its benefits.

The company says it housed more than 400,000 visitors to New York last year.