Empty homes charity calls for Airbnb re-think

A leading housing charity has called on English Heritage to re-consider its acceptance of a £1.25m donation from Airbnb.

The property rental giant offered the money following the launch of its new “historical homes” category in the summer. The firm says it hopes the cash will boost heritage tourism while helping to preserve historic sites and buildings.

However, Will McMahon, director of the charity Action on Empty Homes, has queried whether it is appropriate for English Heritage to accept Airbnb’s offer.

Speaking to The Guardian newspaper, Mr McMahon said: “Airbnb’s donation seems to serve one purpose – it is a sort of cultural greenwashing for what has become an investment platform taking homes out of residential use and worsening our housing crisis.

“Airbnb clearly has a strategic understanding of their own vulnerabilities and in my view are making corporate donations to offset the poor publicity they are now receiving countrywide due to short lets impacting on long-standing local communities in city, coast and countryside alike.”

Action on Empty Homes has recently criticised the effect Airbnb has had on coastal areas in England and Wales in particular, suggesting some areas risk becoming “theme parks for the wealthy” as landlords choose tourists over tenants.

Earlier this year the charity launched its Action on Short Lets campaign, which called for English councils to be given the right to refuse the conversion of entire homes into Airbnb lets. It warned this process was removing properties from the housing market, damaging communities and forcing out long-term renters.

English Heritage has meanwhile welcomed the Airbnb donation, which it described as “most generous”.

Kate Mavor, the organisation’s chief executive, added: “Support like Airbnb’s is vital to protect the great stone circles and castles, abbeys and historic houses in our care.

“It is thanks to support like this that the charity is spending more money than ever before conserving sites for the benefit of the public, right across England.”