Hi @Liv
Thanks for your input.
We know that Airbnb has decided to allocate a third, yes a third of ALL the grant money available to just one country the US and one of the richest countries at that. And that hundreds of countries throughout the world are left with 2/3rd of the grant money to share between them...hardly fair is it?
We also understand the criteria for being invited to apply and that not all superhosts are being invited. Those who host the longest, those who are worse affected and who are dependent on income.
So why are hosts who have hosted for a year, with five listings and a partner with their own business and other sources of income being invite to apply and have been granted funds already, when those who actually fit the criteria haven't even been invited?
1. Airbnb said they were starting with hosts, who have hosted the longest, which is why it is surprising to see hosts who have been superhosts for only a year being invited. Particularly when you see hosts like myself who have been superhosts for five years have not received an invite.
2. It is particularly galling to see hosts in countries where they are still allowed to host and make money from their STRs i.e. the US and Canada be invited to apply when you take into account there are many countries in Europe, the Far East, Africa, Middle East and elsewhere who cannot host and therefore make money from their STR.
For example, if you look at the UK we have been banned from hosting since March (currently up to July) so can earn no income from our STR. Airbnb has also not allowed us to charge for key workers (unlike hosts elsewhere) so we cannot even cover our costs through doing that.
I am grateful that Airbnb has set up their funds, but it seems my worst fears are coming true. Money is going not to those in need but those who shout loudest.
Rather than giving a huge chunk of available income to the US; one of the richest countries in the world, why didn't you ring fence a third to hosts from the poorest communities in the world who often have no access to welfare benefits, food and mortgage breaks/loans.
To be honest it is not helpful to tell us information we already know. Nor to tell us to watch out for some mythical email/golden ticket when Airbnb clearly told us they were invited hosts who have hosted the longest first. Therefore as you are inviting hosts who have only hosted for a year it is clear that I and many other long standing hosts have missed the boat.