Read Airbnb’s Anti-discrimination Report and get involved

[Bhumika]

As part of Airbnb's work to combat discrimination and help build a more inclusive community, we launched Project Lighthouse in 2020. We partnered with civil rights organizations to research when and where racial discrimination happens on our platform and the effectiveness of policies that fight it. 

This week, we released a new update detailing our initial Project Lighthouse findings, along with additional work we’re doing to help fight discrimination. Find out more about how Airbnb is fighting discrimination, read highlights of the report, and explore our guide to inclusive hosting for more. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Bhumika I can't find the report. is there a link to it?

[Bhumika]

Hello @Mike-And-Jane0 ,

Yes, you can find the report here: A six-year update on Airbnb’s work to fight discrimination! I will add it in the above post too, for members' convenience. Thanks for highlighting this.

We're happy to announce the Month of Celebration!

Can’t find what you’re searching for? start a conversation

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Bhumika Absolutely fascinating report. Given that the data collection method is presumably automated I would love to see these data for countries other than the USA. Do Airbnb plan to do this I wonder and if not why not?

[Bhumika]

Hi @Mike-And-Jane0 ,

Indeed an interesting one. While Project Lighthouse is currently focused on our community in the US, the changes outlined in the report will be implemented globally to make the platform more equitable for our entire community. As far as data is concerned, I do not have much information about it as of now. Will get back to you in case I am able to gather more information!

We're happy to announce the Month of Celebration!

Can’t find what you’re searching for? start a conversation

[Laurelle3]

@Bhumika thank you for the follow up of statistics. for Mike-And-Jane0

[Laurelle3]

@Mike-And-Jane0 I agree with you too, for statistics other than the USA. We are often forgotten "Downunder" in Australia and New Zealand. It would be great to see them for all countries. 

[Rick4645]

Does this anti discrimination apply only to guests?

Or have we forgotten about Jade?

The HOST who AirBNB discriminated against for being disabled?
The HOST who AirBNB told to allow guests stay for free because they were offended by her disability?
The HOST who AirBNB asked "When will you no longer be disabled?"

https://god.dailydot.com/airbnb-ableist-doorbell/

[Bhumika]

Hello @Rick4645 ,

The anti-discrimination policy applies to each and everyone that uses the Airbnb platform. The case you mentioned was investigated thoroughly and AirBnB found no evidence of discriminatory behaviour.  

We're happy to announce the Month of Celebration!

Can’t find what you’re searching for? start a conversation

[Rick4645]

Asking a host to stop being disabled is not discriminatory?

[Stephanie]

Hi @Rick4645 ,

I appreciate your concern on this story. As my colleague has mentioned, there was no evidence of wrong doing when we performed an investigation which including talking to all relevant parties. I would recommend you perform a search engine query on this one as it has rather publicly been showcased as fabricated. 

I understand our emotions can be heightened when we see what appears to be discrimination and that you are voicing your concerns from a place of well-intent. That being said, continuing to cite conspiracies that we (Airbnb) have debunked as misinformation will be removed as it perpetuates that misinformation further. 

Thanks for your thoughts, 

Stephanie

[Rick4645]

Of course AirBNB will find no wrong doing when it polices itself. 🤣  
Where I come from, that's called a Cover Up.

[Michelle4759]

This is about a person with Autism and a service dog.
The scenario: "A person with Autism has a service animal and books a reservation on Airbnb. The rental said "No pets allowed", and it was the only reservation available in the area that suited the needs of the guest, so the guest booked for only 1 night and booked a different rental with a different host that did allow animals the following night.  Immediately after the booking was accepted,  immediately after the booking is accepted, the guest writes the host on the Airbnb message platform to inform the host of their service dog and the tasks it performs. In that message, they also told what their disability was because knowing the disability helps foster better communication and understanding of any behaviors or concerns, since the disability is AUTISM.  The guest openly welcomed any questions or concerns from the host. None of this is required by policy or law, but it was initiated by the guest to foster respect and open communication to avoid any future misunderstandings. The host NEVER REPLIED!  After the stay was complete, the guest left a polite review of the rental itself since the host did not interact directly with the guest at all. 

The host then posted the following statement on the guest's profile: "can not recommend at this time".  This was a VAGUE and negative phrase meant to be a review of the guest. (I THINK)  Or was it saying the host couldn't recommend or not recommend at the time because he was busy or preoccupied - meaning he might review again later? The review gave no information to the guest that was helpful, regardless of whether it was positive or negative.... the guest was not told what they did to not be recommended. The guest reached out to the host 2-3x over the course of several weeks asking the host for more clarity and feedback because "they did not understand the comment and did not understand what they did wrong, if anything at all."  The host continued to refuse to communicate. Unaware of the negative review, the guest's son tried to make a reservation with the same host for date in the future, the host declined the reserve request and then immediately went to the mother's profile and posted an EMOJI on her original message that informed of the disability and service dog.  The host wrote no words or explanation and no explanation was given to the son for denying his reserve request. 

NOTE Autistic individuals often REQUIRE written communication that includes much detail because they struggle "reading between the lines" .   Emojis are no different. Emojis are not easy for an autistic to decipher their purpose.  Please read on how autistic people communicate and how they struggle to understand the tone of others and hidden meanings, and communication that lacks context. This host clearly ignored the guest's needs. The guest made customer support very aware of what was going on.  How can they determine that discrimination has not occurred???  
the guest is left frustrated and was refused the communication they required to experience the Airbnb rental experience like all other guests! That host communicates with all other guests and responds to their questions. But Not with the autistic individual?

The Non-discrimination policy clearly states: A HOST MAY NOT REFUSE TO COMMUNICATE with a guest through a method of communication that is available. 

Your thoughts?

[Laurelle3]

@Michelle4759 thank you for sharing the information as it adds more meaning to the reason as to why. 

Service dogs are often questioned by Hosts, but we have too personally experience where we might need a Service pet ourselves for whatever reason that may be deemed by a health professional. 

Thank you.

[Mark116]

It was interesting to find out the  acceptance gap Airbnb has been obsessed with is 2.7%.