Airbnb wants you to live a whole year rent-free in a restored Sicilian home

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Jan 18, 2022

Airbnb chooses a lucky person to live rent-free for an entire year in a newly renovated Sicilian house residence.

The company plans to relocate a remote worker to the Italian village of Sambuca, with family, partner or friend. The winner will not only live in the formerly dilapidated and recently restored house, they will also host the location.

Airbnb’s “1 Euro House” campaign aims to boost tourism by bringing temporary residents to Sambuca, a rural community with a rich cultural heritage. While the population is only around 6,000, Sambuca was once a bustling community with a mix of Italian and North African culture and architecture. But the pandemic has brought tourism to the region to a halt. With “1 Euro House”, Airbnb hopes to bring the neighborhood back to life by targeting a younger audience.

“The beauty of this campaign is that it not only gives a second chance to an abandoned heritage house in the heart of our village – it is also a second chance to the person who moves in,” said Leonardo Ciaccio, Mayor of Sambuca di Sicilia.

The winner will live in the house restored by Italian architectural firm Studio Didea. The ground floor of the house has a living room and a master bedroom with a king-size bed and an en-suite bathroom. The first floor has a second living room, food, work space and bedroom on the mezzanine, while the upper floor has additional living space.

The host will have room choice while listing the remaining room on Airbnb – and retaining all earnings throughout their stay.

“We are looking for someone who wants to live with the local people and participate in all the important moments of the community, from grape harvest to olive picking, and we look forward to welcoming whoever is selected!” said Ciaccio.

To apply, go to Airbnb’s website and complete the application. Applicants must be 18 years old and able to relocate to Sambuca for three consecutive months, beginning June 30, 2022. Those fluent in English and/or Italian are encouraged to apply.

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