Airbnb sets aside USD250 million to support hosts

In light with the development of COVID-19 health crisis, Airbnb has announced several key initiatives and policies, including USD250 million USD to help accommodation hosts impacted by COVID-19-related cancellations.

Here’s how it works:

For a reservation to be eligible under our extenuating circumstances policy, it must have been for accommodations and booked on or before March 14 with check-in between March 14 and May 31, 2020. If a reservation is covered:

Guests will be able to cancel for a full refund for COVID-19-related circumstances.

Airbnb will pay 25% of what you would’ve received for a cancellation based on your cancellation policy. For example, if you would normally receive USD 400 through your cancellation policy, we’ll pay you 25% of that—or USD 100.

Future payments from the fund will be made on a monthly basis to hosts with qualifying cancellations. This policy will also apply retroactively, including any cancellations you may have had since March 14.

For reservations booked on or before March 14 with check-in after May 31, we recognize there may still be uncertainty. In the coming weeks, we’ll be asking hosts and guests to revisit these reservations and choose to either cancel or re-commit to the reservation.

Finally, for any reservations booked after March 14, your cancellation policy will be in effect as usual and COVID-19-related extenuating circumstances will not apply.

Superhost Relief Fund

Meanwhile, Airbnb’s employees have donated USD 1m from their own pockets to kickstart a fund for hosts struggling to make ends meet. Airbnb’s founders are also personally contributing USD 9m.

Airbnb will invite qualified hosts to apply for the grant. Upon review, hosts can receive up to USD 5000 based on their financial need.

This grant comes with no strings attached—hosts won’t need to repay it and can use it however they need.