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Airbnb says it will donate 10 cents from its own revenue for each qualifying home stay to Airbnb.org, the nonprofit that helps people find temporary housing during a crisis. Guests do not have to sign up, and the company says the change will not add a charge to their booking or reduce the host’s payout.
The funding plan announced Wednesday is intended to help provide $500 million to Airbnb.org over five years. That is a future funding goal, not $500 million already handed out.
What changes when you book?
For a guest or host, Airbnb says no action is needed. The 10-cent donation comes from Airbnb’s revenue, not an added checkout donation that the traveler must pay.
The company says the donation does not apply to stays canceled before check-in, or to bookings for experiences and services.
Who can get free housing?
A regular Airbnb booking does not automatically qualify a traveler for a free stay. Airbnb.org works with local nonprofits and government partners to identify people who need help. It then provides credits that eligible guests can use to book a home.
Airbnb says people supported through the nonprofit stay for free and hosts are paid. Hosts may separately choose to offer a discount or donate part of their earnings.
The nonprofit’s work includes disaster response. Airbnb says the new funding will also help it expand support for families traveling for medical care, survivors of domestic violence and exploitation, and U.S. veterans facing serious illness or intensive treatment.
A five-year plan, not an immediate payout
Airbnb says the funding model is meant to put Airbnb.org on a path toward providing one million nights of free housing a year. The company says it has already helped provide more than 1.6 million nights to more than 250,000 people since the nonprofit was founded in 2020.
The company cautions that future funding and program expansion depend on factors including booking volumes and the nonprofit’s ability to expand its programs. Airbnb says it covers Airbnb.org’s operating costs and makes no money from Airbnb.org stays.
JBizNews Desk | New York
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