More than seventy full-time Airbnbs operate here… Seventy homes that could have gone to families who love Two Rivers but were instead snapped up by investors looking to get rich.
As Airbnbs spread, they push families out, drive up house prices, and turn our neighborhoods into motels for tourists. The rise of vacation rentals is changing the character of your city, making it harder for families to stay rooted and for new families to settle in.
We’ve already lost so much… Major employers, local shops, restaurants, and more. Now, the heart of Two Rivers – families and community – is at risk. How much more can we afford to lose before it’s too late and it’s no longer a place to call home?
Our Way of Life
The residents of Two Rivers want more than just a place to live – they want a community where they can thrive. Affordable housing is crucial, allowing families to stay in the city they love without being priced-out by rising property values driven by vacation homes and Airbnbs. They want a tight-knit community, where neighbors know each other and look out for one another, not a transient population of visitors who come and go without caring about the community’s well-being.
Beyond housing, residents want access to clean parks, well-maintained public spaces, and recreation that makes the most of our natural resources like Lake Michigan, the state forest, and our rivers. They want lower utility costs, reasonable taxes, and stable jobs that aren’t just limited to the service industry.
But when more properties are turned into vacation homes and Airbnbs, the residents can no longer afford the homes here, the sense of community weakens, and the local economy becomes too dependent on seasonal tourism.
Facing Challenges
The residents of Two Rivers face significant challenges in making our community thrive. One of the key issues is that the city hasn’t been proactive in managing the rise of Airbnb and vacation homes. As these properties continue to increase, housing costs go up, making it harder for full-time residents to find affordable homes. This trend weakens the close-knit community we all value.
We’re also finding it difficult to attract and retain businesses that offer stable, year-round employment after losing our largest employers. This challenge is amplified by the growing number of Airbnbs, which contribute to a more transient population. When fewer people live here permanently, it becomes harder for businesses to see Two Rivers as a place worth investing in, creating a cycle that we need to address immediately to keep our community strong and vibrant.
We, the residents of Two Rivers call on our city leaders to take action to protect the character, affordability, and local businesses of our community. Short-term rentals and vacation homes have grown in number, raising property values and making it harder for families to afford homes. This shift impacts our city’s long-term stability, weakening the close-knit spirit that defines Two Rivers. We have already lost many of the places that made our town special - major employers, stores, restaurants, the pool and the high school - and now the community itself is at risk of becoming just a destination rather than a home. We urge the city council to: Let’s preserve Two Rivers as a community where families can thrive, neighbors know one another, schools and businesses are filled with long-term residents.