Airbnb Offers Program For VA Federal Workers Impacted By Shutdown

VIRGINIA—Home-sharing company Airbnb announced a program Wednesday for federal employees not getting paychecks during the government shutdown in Virginia and elsewhere. Airbnb's 'A Night on Us' program allows home and experience hosts to get paid for an extra night up to $110—the average nightly price for an Airbnb stay in the U.S.

Federal workers who host three nights in their homes between Dec. 18, 2018 and March 18, 2019 will get up to $110. Experience Hosts can also receive up to $110, depending on the total booked value of their experience. Hosts will receive a payment matching their home or experience rate or the maximum $110.

'A Night on Us' is open to federal executive branch workers, who aren't receiving paychecks during the shutdown. Eligible participants must be hosts on Airbnb.

"We hope this boost will serve to supplement the income government employees already earn from home sharing, helping to address fast emerging financial challenges for the foreseeable future," the company said in a statement on its website.

Current hosts can apply through an online form. Hosts must provide the federal government agency they work for and their Airbnb host ID number. Airbnb will verify the federal employment status. The application deadline is March 18.

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