Airbnb to give $250 Million back to hosts – The storm will pass

In a bid to reconcile with a very disgruntled Airbnb community, the CEO Brian Cheeky streamed a live apology from his home. He went on to reveal a strategy to financially assist hosts in weathering this COVID-19 storm.

Airbnbs four actions to help hosts

1. $250 Million to paid back to hosts impacted by cancellations
2. $5000 grants to long term Superhosts
3. Previous guests can offer support and donate
4. Airbnb to work with governments for financial assistance

So what does this mean for hosts?

Airbnb to give $250 Million to be paid back to hosts

At the height of the pandemic, Airbnb announced that any booking made before March 14 with a check-in date between March 14 and May 31 would receive a full refund and override all hosts cancellation policies.

Due to this $250 Million, hosts were left with no income, an empty calendar, and no way of paying their mortgages.

The $250 million dollar payout will see Airbnb pay hosts 25% of what they would have received had their cancellation policy taken effect.

For example, if you would normally receive $400 through your cancellation policy, Airbnb will pay you 25% of that which amounts to $100.

Bookings that don’t qualify for the new policy

• Airbnb Luxe listings
• Luxury Retreats
• Domestic Bookings in Mainland China

For reservations booked before March 14 with a check-in date after May 31, Airbnb is asking all hosts to contact their guests and to either confirm the booking or cancel it.

And for any bookings made after March 14, your own cancellation policy will remain and the extenuating circumstances policy will no longer apply.

$10 Million in Superhost relief funds

In an effort to help their most loyal hosts, employees at Airbnb decided to start a fund and donate their own money. The fund took off and they managed to raise an impressive $1 million.

Following their own employees’ example, the three Airbnb founders collectively donated the remaining $9 million bringing the total to $10 million.

Starting in April the fund will divided into $5000 grants and paid out to Superhosts that rent out their own home and to long term Airbnb experience operators. This will used to help cover the cost of their mortgages and their loss of income.

To qualify for the grant your Airbnb must meet the following criteria

• Your Airbnb is within your primary or secondary residence and has no more than 2 active listings.
• You must show that Airbnb is your primary source of income
• Have a verified ID with Airbnb
• Maintained Superhost for at least 1 year
• Have lost a large percentage of income due to COVID-19

Airbnb will invite eligible hosts to apply for the grant in late April 2020. If your application is approved you will receive a grant of up to $5000 within 3 business days directly into your usual payout account.

Previous Guests can offer support and donate

During these unprecedented times, hosts have working hard offering guests greater flexibility and kindness while they are displaced or in need of somewhere to self-isolate.

Because of this, Airbnb has contacted by many guests wanting to give back to their hosts in the form of support and donations.

So, rolling out in April, Airbnb is giving guests a platform to send their support to their hosts that looked after them during the crisis.

This will come as a welcome helping hand to struggling hosts and is a great way for the Airbnb community to come together and support one another.

Airbnb to give $250 Million back to hosts – The storm will pass Working with the government for host assistance

Airbnb has secured new legislation in the US that allows hosts to take advantage of government assistance.

Within the support package, hosts can apply for:

• Small business grants – Which includes short term rentals
• Small business loans – Low interest
• Unemployment benefits – For loss of income

In a recent meeting with congress, Airbnb also asked for rental tax exemptions to go from the current 14 day stays to pushed out to 60-day stays. Airbnb to give $250 Million this comes as half the nights currently booked on the platform are now 30+ day stays.

While these initiatives are only available in the US for now, Chesky assures us that they are working closely with governments all around the world to try and secure similar assistance packages.

Light at the end of the tunnel

To conclude the live broadcast, Chesky went on to say.  That he is committed to rebuilding the partnership between Airbnb and hosts. Airbnb to give $250 Million,  he believes that in working together we are all at our strongest and absolute best.

He went on to say that all humans have a fundamental need to travel and that no matter how long this goes on for, all storms will end and everyone will waiting to get out of their homes and explore the world.

And in his final words, he said that this crisis has a wake-up call that Airbnb needs to work closer with hosts.  And to remember that travel will back and when it is. Also we look forward to welcoming millions of guests again.

Click to see the full live stream and for more info.