Airbnb donates $1 million to HOPE Housing’s efforts to support key workers

HOPE Housing’s mission to help essential workers like nurses, teachers, police, firefighters and paramedics own their own home has received a significant boost thanks to a $1 million donation from Airbnb.

The HOPE Housing shared equity initiative co-invests up to 50 per cent of the home purchase price empowering essential workers to achieve home ownership. Airbnb’s donation will help HOPE Housing expand its efforts to help essential workers and complements Airbnb’s broader company-wide effort to help more people realise their dream of home ownership.

Tim Buskens, CEO of HOPE Housing, welcomed the donation: “We are incredibly grateful for Airbnb’s generous support. This $1 million donation will help us to scale our business to be able to help even more teachers, healthcare professionals and first responders achieve the dream of owning a home. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those who give so much to our society.

“Airbnb’s support is testament to its commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in housing solutions. This partnership exemplifies how established leaders can empower emerging organisations like ours to make a lasting impact in the community.”

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, said Airbnb was proud to make this significant contribution to HOPE Housing to help more essential workers realise their home ownership dreams as part of Airbnb’s commitment to help strengthen the communities they operate in.

“Through Airbnb’s work with cities around the globe, we understand communities continue to navigate unique and complex challenges.

“Australians are facing rising cost-of-living pressures with housing affordability often top of the list. This is felt most by our essential service workers who rightly want to live close to where they work and have the opportunity of home ownership.

“Essential workers are the heart and soul of our communities and we recognise the valuable contributions they make. This donation is part of our ongoing efforts to give back to communities particularly those who go over and above to help others when they need it most.”

One such essential worker who has benefited from HOPE Housing is Thomas McLaren, a firefighter stationed in inner-Sydney. He said, “Thanks to HOPE Housing, my partner Charlotte and I finally have a place to call our own, just minutes away from my station. For years, we were at the mercy of landlords and felt like we’d never be able to save enough for a deposit.

“Working two jobs and putting in 100+ hour weeks as a firefighter and a carpenter has been exhausting. But HOPE Housing changed everything. Now, with the stability of owning our own home, I can focus on the job I love – firefighting – without the stress of working two jobs.

“We are no longer renters; we are homeowners, and that’s a dream we thought we’d never achieve.”

The donation to HOPE Housing is part of a contribution from the Airbnb Community Fund which was established in 2020 as part of our commitment to share our success with our stakeholders. The Airbnb Community Fund will distribute $100 million by the end of 2030 to strengthen communities around the world. 

For more information about HOPE Housing, please visit hopehousing.com.au 

About HOPE Housing:

HOPE Housing is a for-purpose organisation dedicated to providing affordable housing solutions to key workers. By offering financial assistance, education, and resources, HOPE Housing empowers essential workers to achieve the dream of home ownership and build stronger, more resilient communities.