Airbnb partners with London Borough of Waltham Forest to empower residents to benefit from homesharing

Airbnb and the London Borough of Waltham Forest are partnering on a trial initiative to help more communities benefit from homesharing. The project aims to inspire more residents in Waltham Forest to occasionally host and reimagine the use of the existing spaces and rooms in their homes with support from experienced Airbnb Ambassadors and existing hosts. Waltham Forest will also be promoted as a suggested destination via a dedicated landing page on Airbnb’s website. The partnership will help everyday families generate extra income and will also strengthen the local economy and local businesses by attracting more visitors. 

In 2022, spending by guests and hosts on Airbnb supported 22,500 jobs across London and boosted the Greater London economy by £592 million¹. With over 40% of UK hosts saying the income they have earned from hosting has helped them stay in their homes² . The partnership aims to support and empower more diverse communities and families in the borough to unlock the benefits of home sharing and the tourism economy. New and prospective hosts will receive resources and guidance from Airbnb Ambassadors and existing hosts.     

Waltham Forest is home to an abundance of culture, creativity, and enterprise–including the award-winning William Morris Gallery, the creative hub of Blackhorse Lane, and Walthamstow Wetlands.  

Working together, Airbnb and the London Borough of Waltham Forest are committed to putting the region on the map for visitors from around the world, with Airbnb backing the partnership with a contribution of £25,000. These funds will support grassroots events and culture initiatives across the borough.

To further spread the benefits of visitor dispersal to new parts of London, Airbnb will be promoting Waltham Forest as a suggested destination via a dedicated landing page. This partnership will boost the local economy with increased tourism footfall and spending by hosts and guests in the local area. 

Amanda Cupples, General Manager of Northern Europe at Airbnb, said: “Homesharing can benefit everyday families and local businesses, and we are excited to welcome hosts from Waltham Forest into our community.We are proud to be partnering with the borough, to spotlight this cultural hub to guests. We hope this partnership will attract more visitors to Waltham Forest, supporting local businesses, generating jobs and benefiting the community.” 

Councillor Rosalind Doré, Cabinet Member for Libraries, Culture and Sports and Leisure, at Waltham Forest Council, said, ‘’This initiative is a great opportunity to offer a new way for residents to explore alternative income ideas with experienced support and guidance. The partnership with Airbnb will help to highlight our cultural offer, drive visitor footfall and investment in the borough, whilst supporting grassroots cultural activity and our diverse communities.’’