The coronavirus pandemic has caused people from all walks of life to lose their jobs over the past year, but women have been leaving the workforce at a much higher rate than men. As of February 2021, almost 3 million women had left the labor market since the same period in 2020.
Some of them use their time at home to their advantage, earning income through Airbnb hosting.
“Powered by Women”
Liz DeBold Fusco is Communications Manager for Airbnb.
“The Airbnb community is and always has been driven by women,” Fusco said.
About 55% of the company’s 4 million hosts globally are women, and many have become new hosts during the pandemic.
“The burdens and sacrifices this pandemic has imposed have fallen disproportionately on (women’s) shoulders,” Fusco said.
Gender roles have changed over the years, and women are no longer so socially obligated to shoulder the bulk of child-rearing responsibilities. But when America’s classrooms closed, women were often the ones who stayed home to help their children get to school.
In the Phoenix area alone, 54% of new Airbnb hosts — those who opened their homes in the last year — are women. They earned $3.6 million in times of economic uncertainty.
“What’s appealing about accommodation is that it can be flexible and can be a really vital source of income at a time when many families need it,” Fusco said.
A Vital Opportunity
Phoenix host Cassandra Cardenas is just one example.
“I have a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old, and I’m super pregnant with my third,” Cardenas said.
She is a professional classical singer, which worked out well for her and her family as most of the obligations were nights and weekends. But the pandemic canceled all of his performances and contracts.
“And that hit our income really hard, and then my kindergarten school suddenly closed in November, so I had to be home with her for ‘iPad school,’ as she calls it,” said Cardenas.
Fortunately, Cardenas’ husband was able to keep his job, but she still needed to supplement their income with something flexible. This is where the little house in their backyard came in handy.
“We were concerned that bookings weren’t really at the level they were (before the pandemic),” she said. “But in fact, guests are looking forward to little getaways to unique, safer, secluded experiences away from lots of other people.”
Many locals have booked the tiny house for staycations, birthdays and anniversaries. In fact, Cardenas said her tiny house is booked most nights with only a few days off here and there.
“The tiny house generates a net income of at least $2,000 a month, if not more,” she said. “It was totally vital. We had to dip into our savings for a while, but luckily we are now emerging with this opportunity.
A getaway adapted to the pandemic
Sarah Carlblom also hosts an Airbnb space in Phoenix, but instead of a tiny house, it’s an urban greenhouse.
“We are environmentally conscious and bringing farm life to the center of town,” Carlblom said. “We choose products without chemicals, we recycle, we compost, we use solar energy. We also grow food in our backyard and invite our guests to join us in the backyard, pick and eat in the garden. »
Carlblom has offered the 500-square-foot guesthouse in its garden to Airbnb guests for a few years. But nowadays, many guests take advantage of the opportunity to work wherever they want and choose to do so in a more pleasant climate. But Carlblom still receives a few vacationers.
“A lot of people come from California, probably partly because it’s passable,” Carlblom said. “But I also think because Arizona’s economy is more open, they’re just looking to be able to enjoy going to a restaurant or exploring a new environment.”
Carlblom also saw more long-term bookings, instead of back-to-back short-term bookings. Despite a tough few months with few bookings, she says her Airbnb space has continued to provide steady income and she recommends it to others.
“I think this is a perfect business for anyone who is struggling financially and trying to make ends meet, especially if you already have space available in your home or garden that you can just put some work into. for you.”
Carlblom even mentored a few other women on the do’s and don’ts of hosting.
“(I tell them) how to keep it safe, especially if you have a family on the property or you live on the property,” Carlblom said. “The most important thing I’ve learned is to monitor my clientele very carefully.”
In the meantime, Cardenas said you could also give someone else what they need.
“People say it’s not just a place to stay. It’s an experience and the atmosphere is really relaxed,” she said. “It’s really our hope that people can feel a bit refreshed after being here.”
Bridget Dowd is the Morning Edition Producer at KJZZ. This story was produced by KJZZ and appears here through a collaboration between The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com and KJZZ. Hear the full story at kjzz.org.
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