Haven’t received Grant Invitation yet and really need an update.

[Jason1350]

Hi I’m hoping someone can please advise why if I qualify for the grant I haven’t yet received the invitation? I understand the fine print states that this is being shared on a need basis but I’m most definitely in need. I’m very concerned because it’s the end of April and thought these were to be sent by now. If I am to have any chance of keeping my property until this situation is behind us the grant is most definitely a needed assist.

I feel foolish to have to state this as I would anticipate AirBnB knows the value I’ve offered throughout my tenure but maybe a reminder can assist, fingers crossed.

I’ve been impacted with over $15k in cancellations, am a Superhost and have been hosting since 2013. Additionally, I’ve brought 5 hosts into the community who have very rewarding properties. I always take the high road and try to provide feedback that makes the brand stronger and believe I’ve added significant value. 

I really don’t want to leave this community as I’m good at hosting, I enjoy AirBnB’ing, creating experiences for my guests and helping others get started. I’m up against a fence here and figure it’s worth a chance to post here and hopefully get some input or acknowledgment. 

@Lizzie I know it’s not your responsibility but if there is anything you can do or advise here, I’d be beyond grateful. I’m not sure where else to turn as waiting patiently for my invite hasn’t seemed to be working. Thank you! 

[Jude7]

Here’s the response I just received from customer support:

Hi there, Rhinebeck. In regard to the Superhost Relief Fund, a specialized team at Airbnb will invite hosts most in need to apply. All invitations will be sent out by May 15, 2020, and this same team will evaluate applications on a weekly basis and get in touch with hosts whose applications have been approved. You can check here for more info: http://abnb.do/601314Cif. We hope this helps!

here’s my reply:

Thank you for that reply. Can you share what the criteria is? I know that many super hosts are wondering the same thing. It would be wonderful if a communication could be sent out. When we have experienced such dire losses in income, it would be so useful to have a sense of whether we are being considered or not, and what the future holds, so we can each make plans for our futures. This lack of information, transparency, and communication has been very frustrating to hosts. Would you be so kind as to communicate this to those with power to respond?

[Lorissa0]

Also still waiting here.. I’m not holding my breath. If you do the math there will be very few hosts who will get this grant money. While $17 million sounds like a lot If they’re giving out on average $5k/host that equates to 3,500 hosts. Even if they give some hosts less money that’s maybe 10,000 hosts benefiting from this payout tops. Airbnb has nearly 3/4 million hosts (not sure the percentage of super hosts in that number). Not great news for most of us. 

[Susan17]

@Lorissa0 

Yes, that's close - about 650,000 to 700,000 hosts (although that figure is most likely inflated) According to Airbnb now on their SH Relief Fund blurb, they have "hundreds of thousands" of superhosts, although they've been claiming for the past 6 years that only around 7 - 10% of hosts are superhosts. Nobody knows the true figures apart from Airbnb, but no matter what way it's sliced and diced, only a minority of superhosts will benefit from the fund and those that do, will almost certainly be carefully and straegically selected, for maximum PR advantage for the company. It would be a big mistake for anyone to count on receiving anything from this pot of gold. Realistically, hosts should just assume you'll get nothing, and look on it as a huge bonus if they do.

[Lorissa0]

Totally agree!

[Stephanie]

Hiya @Jason1350 ,

Thanks for taking the time to write here on the CC and sorry for the delay in a response. I think the following information may help with your questions :

I am not clear whether I'm eligible. How do I find out whether I am?

You can find the eligibility criteria here, however, we're prioritizing invitations by inviting tenured Superhosts who are most in financial need first. This means not all eligible hosts may necessarily be invited. However, you will know by May 15th whether you've received an invitation or not.

If you haven't had your invite yet, don't worry! We're sending out invites weekly until May 15. When you receive it you will have 7 days to respond.

I know it is a bit more staggered than any of us would have preferred but it is a massive undertaking. If you have any other questions, do let me know.

Thanks,

Stephanie

[Huma0]

@Stephanie 

I hope you're well and thanks for posting this update. However, what still really confuses me is this:

"We'll start with inviting our most long-standing Superhosts who are in greatest financial need by looking at the earnings decline from this year to last."

Does this refer to those who have lost the most in terms of the percentage of their Airbnb income, or those largest amount of loss in dollars?

It all still seems a bit cloak and dagger to me. 

[Stephanie]

Hiya @Huma0 ,

I've relayed your question and will shared the details as soon as I have them in hand. Thanks for great question,

Stephanie

[Huma0]

Thanks @Stephanie . I am sure this would be useful for hosts to know as many are anxiously awaiting that invitation. I don't ask for myself as I assume I am not eligible after reading that you need to have been a Superhost for four or more years (fair enough), but if there was more clarity on the criteria, I think a lot of others would be less stressed about it.

[Stephanie]

Hiya @Huma0 ,

I've got a few more details on geographic distribution here:

We send a wave of invitations every week, and each wave includes hosts from around the world. What those hosts all have in common is that they meet our invitation criteria.

So far 65% of the hosts we've invited so far are outside the United States.

I think this extra bit of info would be interesting too:

Each wave of invitations reaches about 5,000 hosts. By sending invitations in small batches, we're able to ensure we respond to everyone who submits an application within 2 weeks. We don't know the exact number of hosts we'll be able to invite; the more invited hosts who apply, the more quickly we'll spend the $17 million relief fund. We estimate we'll invite about 15,000 hosts to submit applications.

Thanks again for the questions!

Stephanie

[Huma0]

Thanks @Stephanie  for the clarification.

According to the wording, it looks like Airbnb will be looking at the percentage of lost income, rather than the monetary amount. However, it doesn't specific that those that have lost the greatest percentage will be prioritised, simply that one of the eligibility criteria is that they have lost a significant percentage. That is how I am reading it anyway...

[Stephanie]

Let me get you some additional clarity on that one @Huma0 ! Stay tuned.

[Jason1350]

@Stephanie  Thank you for the response! I was thinking it was the end of April but I’ve since learned From Brian’s update it’s May 15 and he did a good job of clarifying in his live session the criteria and timing. I’ll continue to standby patiently and maybe get a little creative on how to make ends meet ;-). I was inspired by some of the virtual experience success we’re seeing—I may just try one of those to align with my InnoFarm retreat listing. Have a great day and stay safe! Thanks again for all you do. 

[Stephanie]

Let us know how that Experience goes, sounds like a great one! 

Thanks @Jason1350 

[Jude7]

@Jason1350 - I thought I've diligently read every email sent to me, and kept myself informed, but it wasn't until I reached out to customer service that I learned that date has now been pushed to May 15.  But your message also alerted me that maybe I missed something else, as you referred to Brian's live update where he clarified the criteria as well as the timing.  

Would you be so kind as to clarify when that update occurred?  If anyone has a link, that would be greatly appreciated.

The only answer I've received from customer support is a repeat of what has been posted, "You'll be contacted if you meet criteria."  Any attempts to clarify what that means has been met with non-information.  How are they identifying the hosts most in need?

[Stephanie]

Hiya @Jude7 ,

Thanks for getting in touch. The live update that Jason mentioned can be reviewed here: https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/Save-the-date-Tune-in-April-28-for-a-Host-Update-with-CE... 

Thanks,

Stephanie