Airbnb recently made a pledge in New Orleans to help communities where housing affordability is an issue , by offering short - term rentals to primary residences . However , Airbnb 's critics do not believe this is true since 70 percent of its listings in New Orleans are set up as whole - home rentals , indicating that it makes its money from potential investors and landlords to run hotels out of residential properties . Only time will tell if Airbnb will actually identify and block people who list investment properties rather than primary residences or if this move is simply a publicity stunt to detract from allegations that Airbnb contributes to gentrification and displacement .
Airbnb recently made a pledge in New Orleans to help communities where housing affordability is an issue, by limiting short-term rentals to primary residences. However, Airbnb's critics do not believe this is true since 70% of its listings in New Orleans are set up as whole-home rentals, indicating that it makes its money from allowing investors and landlords to run hotels out of residential properties. Only time will tell if Airbnb will actually identify and block people who list investment properties rather than primary residences or if this move is simply a publicity stunt to detract from allegations that Airbnb contributes to gentrification and displacement.