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Rockaway Beach workshop backs pilot to subsidize accessibility verification for short-term rentals
Summary
Council heard a Becoming Rentable presentation proposing outreach to identified properties, extended reviews of properties missing photos/data, and funding to cover one-year verification subscriptions for 25 short-term rentals to promote accessible lodging.
Becoming Rentable presenter Lorraine briefed the council on an audit and a three-part outreach plan to increase verified accessible short-term rentals (STRs) in Rockaway Beach. Lorraine said the audit found a substantial set of properties that meet or nearly meet minimum accessibility standards and many that lack sufficient documentation. She proposed the city fund the verification subscription for 25 properties as seed money to encourage participation and to elevate Rockaway Beach on the platform’s Oregon destination page.
Lorraine described outreach tiers: direct outreach and verification for the 24 clearly identifiable accessible properties, an extended review of about 100 properties missing photographs or data, and community education including blogs and social posts. City staff said they would send letters to identified STR owners the next day. Lorraine said, “We’re looking at funding 25 of the properties that reach that verification status as an incentive to be identified as an accessible short term rental.” Councilors asked if the platform could also link to the city’s Visit RockawayBeach.org information and encouraged broader promotion of accessible amenities such as Anchor Street Park and beach wheelchairs.
The seed-subsidy proposal and outreach are preparatory steps; no procurement or regulatory action was taken at the workshop. Staff indicated follow-up outreach and tracking would occur as the program proceeds.
