Airbnb and the Seattle chapter of The Urban League, a non-profit that helps African-American communities access opportunity, are announcing a new partnership today.
The two organizations will work together to teach low-income Seattleites how to become Airbnb hosts so that they can earn some extra cash. For each new host who signs up for Airbnb through The Urban League’s ambassador page before Feb 1. and books a reservation by March 31, Airbnb will donate $100 to the new host and $100 to the Urban League.
Airbnb says the partnership is part of its commitment to help people struggling with housing affordability. The company is embroiled in legal battles in cities around the world — including Seattle — over just that issue. Policymakers claim Airbnb adds to affordability issues by encouraging homeowners to take long-term inventory off the market, renting to tourists on a short-term basis instead.
According to Airbnb, this kind of behavior represents a small minority and the majority of hosts rent out spare bedrooms or parts of their home to supplement their income. The company claims the typical host in Seattle earns $9,100 by renting out his or her home for approximately 80 nights per year.
