In a significant development for essential workers across Australia, HOPE Housing has received a $1 million donation from Airbnb. This generous contribution is set to bolster HOPE’s ongoing efforts to help essential workers, including nurses, teachers, police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, achieve the dream of homeownership.
HOPE Housing’s shared equity initiative is making it possible for essential workers to buy homes in the communities where they serve. The recent donation from Airbnb will help HOPE Housing expand its efforts to help more essential workers 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.
“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.”
The impact of HOPE Housing’s initiative is already being felt by essential workers like Thomas McLaren, a firefighter in inner Sydney. “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. 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 $1 million donation from Airbnb represents a pivotal moment in HOPE Housing’s mission, underscoring the vital role that community partnerships play in creating lasting, positive change for those who serve and protect us every day.
