Is this why we couldn't get a moratorium on new STR permits?

Are they able to do this because they're approving the plans before the new rules go into effect?  Or were they always going to get this part of the deal no matter what?

The company is in talks with Sonder, a short-term rental company, that would see some of the units rented to tourists rather than used for long-term housing, Stebbins said. An outline posted to the project’s website stated an agreement was in place for Sonder to use 150 of the 392 units envisioned for Charity.

That would be about 50% higher than the number of units that would be allowed under rules the New Orleans City Council put in place earlier this year and which are set to take effect in December.

Anyway, it's all for our own good. Trust them. 

Stebbins did not say how many units were currently planned for the project, but said the short-term rentals, which are typically far more lucrative than long-term housing, would allow the company to charge lower rents for other units.

We can't do anything about the housing crisis unless we first see to it that some rich people make a ton of money first.