Hotel Housing: The Past, the Present, and the Future

Hotels have historically provided an informal yet often overlooked housing choice for a diverse array of residents, from middle-class workers to transient individuals. Once regarded as a viable housing option, living in hotels has become increasingly stigmatized, relegated to lower-income groups who face barriers to renting or owning homes. As affordable housing becomes increasingly constrained, extended-stay hotels (ESH) are proliferating across the United States landscape, marking a new era of hotel living. This study investigates the historical shifts in hotel housing, its geographic patterns, and the demographic and economic traits of regions where low-tier (economy and lower midscale) extended-stay hotels are prevalent. Utilizing data from Smith Travel Research (STR), U.S. Census Bureau statistics, Opportunity Atlas, and Eviction Lab, we apply GIS mapping techniques to examine concentrations of low-tier ESHs across the nation. Our findings indicate that these hotels are now more concentrated in suburban and smaller metropolitan areas, a shift from the past when residential hotels were primarily located in urban hubs and along major highways. Counties with high concentrations of low-tier ESHs tend to have younger, more racially diverse populations, lower homeownership rates, and elevated eviction rates, all of which reflect reduced upward mobility compared to national figures. While ESHs do provide temporary housing with fewer barriers than traditional rentals, they also expose residents to financial and legal risks, often charging above-average rents without sufficient tenant protections. Despite their significance, ESHs are largely overlooked in housing policy and advocacy. This study underscores the prominence and precariousness of hotel-based living and advocates for policy measures that enhance tenant protections and acknowledge ESHs as an integral part of the affordable housing landscape.