Hosting college students during COVID-19 closures

[Lori2039]

I am thinking about reaching out to the university near my home to see if there are students who do not want - or cannot go home due to the school switching to on-line courses only. It could be a good solution to both students and hosts. Most of my guests have cancelled for this month and next due to travel restrictions. If half the students living in dorms could find local housing those left would be one to a room in the dorms. Seems like a win/win. 

I would not be into gouging the prices, just happy to fill the space and not lose so much revenue with the room sitting empty. Could get us all through the next 2-3 months.

Curious to get others input.

[Jackie570]

This is a great idea, and would also protect some students from becoming infected if the virus would sweep through the dorms (like Swine Flu did when I was in college- EVERYONE got it.) The issue is that the students have already paid rent to stay in the dorms. They have paid for meal plans, parking passes, and everything else they need to survive there. Moving to an Airbnb rental produces a whole new set of higher living expenses, and the ones they have already paid would be going to waste.

[Jackie570]

Also, many college students are quiet, clean, and responsible. Many are not. I personally would not want to open my rental to a bunch of college students who would suddenly have a whole house to themselves. The potential for damage, excessive mess, and unfortunate events would not be worth the extra income for me.

[Lori2039]

The University near my house has booted all the students out of the dorms and will be refunding money, so there won't be extra cost. I'm not worried about partying as I would only take one student and I live here. The housing department was excited about the idea of students who cannot leave getting into Airbnb. I sent them my info so I'll see what happens in the coming days.