Making communities stronger

Picture of Gina, an Airbnb Host in Oakland, California
Simon and Hamas, Airbnb hosts in British Columbia, Canada
Ansel, Airbnb Host in Oakland, California
Georgy, Airbnb Host in British Columbia, Canada
Every day, we work with governments to ensure that local rules for short-term rentals preserve the economic benefits of hosting and help people stay in their homes.

44%

Hosts whose Airbnb income helped them stay in their home

65%

Hosts whose Airbnb income helped cover the rising cost of living

$85B

Total estimated Airbnb contribution to US GDP

$24B

Total tax revenue
Family eating outside

"Airbnb significantly boosts restaurant revenue, contributing to ~12% of restaurants' median annual revenue growth... These results suggest that policymakers are banning or limiting short-term rentals in areas of the city that are likely to benefit more from Airbnb."

University of San Diego Knauss School of Business
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It’s through this work that we understand the complex challenges cities continue to navigate around housing.
Guests arranging flowers in a listing.
Experts agree the chronic, decades-long underproduction of new housing supply is the primary driver of housing challenges, not short-term rentals.
Home in Iowa

"The causes of the housing supply crisis are widely understood. After the Great Recession, new home construction dropped like a stone. Fewer new homes were built between 2008 and 2018 than in any decade since the 1960s."

Fannie Mae
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HBR article image
panchof/Getty Images

"Put simply, restricting Airbnb is not going to be an effective tool for solving the housing-affordability problems in many US cities."

Harvard Business Review
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But we recognize that as these challenges have become more acute, there is more we can do to help.
Host in front of house
Host making bed in home
Guests eating in backyard
Host looking out window

Our efforts to increase housing supply

While each city is unique, we have worked with experts to identify initiatives where we believe we can make a positive difference.
Guests playing on the porch of their listing

Introducing the Airbnb Housing Council

The group will advise the company on policy ideas and initiatives we can support to help communities facing housing challenges.
Learn more about the councilLearn more about the council
Other initiatives

Our support for sensible, short-term rental policies for renters

With a record half of all US renters cost-burdened, Airbnb will advocate for communities to adopt renter-friendly short-term rental policies.
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Airbnb supports Colorado tax on short-term rentals for affordable housing

Voters in several Colorado communities supported raising the tax visitors pay when they stay at a short-term rental.
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Guests looking out the window of their Airbnb listing

Stay informed

Check out the Airbnb Newsroom for the latest news and updates on housing initiatives.
Visit the Newsroom
Note: Survey responses are self-reported by US hosts. Estimated total tax revenue is associated with economic activity generated by Airbnb stays, and includes the total value of taxes associated with hosts’ income and spending, the economic activity stemming from guests visiting local businesses, as well as occupancy taxes. Estimated economic impact data is based on an internal analysis using the IMPLAN economic impact model which assesses direct, indirect and induced economic activity. All currency in USD.