Airbnb has partnered with Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County (NHS) to support its long standing “Don’t Move, Improve” program. This home rehabilitation loan program provides South LA homeowners with an opportunity to access no-interest and low-interest loans to improve their largest asset: their homes. Qualified applicants could have access to the funds they need to make long-overdue repairs like upgrading plumbing, painting or landscaping, and upgrading a bathroom.
Airbnb and NHS celebrated the launch of the partnership with a community event on June 22, held at the home of a long-time Airbnb host in South LA. Several dozen local homeowners attended an information session where they learned about how to apply for the loan rehabilitation program along with more about how home sharing can help them earn new income to help make ends meet, and even help cover the cost of maintaining their home.
NHS’s mission is to strengthen communities by developing and maintaining quality affordable housing, creating and preserving affordable homeownership opportunities, supporting local leaders, providing financial education, and increasing the financial independence of families and people in need.
“It is great to have Airbnb investing in our community and supporting our longstanding home rehabilitation program,” says Lori Gay, Executive Director of NHS. “For 35 years, this program has helped thousands of local families in South LA and throughout the city, access critically needed low and no interest loans to help maintain, and keep their homes. We are also glad to provide our clients with information and resources about home sharing, and how it can help them cover some of their most important expenses.”
Airbnb has empowered thousands of Angelenos to directly benefit from the growing tourism economy and increasingly rely on the income they earn from sharing their home. “We are excited to announce our partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County, and our support of their home rehabilitation loan program that has helped so many South LA residents obtain the resources they need to improve their largest asset — their home, “ says John Choi, LA Policy Manager at Airbnb. “Through this partnership we will also provide community members with resources and information on the benefits of home sharing, and how this new income can help them make ends meet – and stay in their homes.”
To learn more about NHS and its “Don’t Move, Improve” program visit www.nhslacounty.org
