Housing Savannah Receives Grant from Airbnb Community Fund

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Thursday, February 27th, 2025

Housing Savannah is proud to announce a $20,000 grant from the Airbnb Community

Fund, a program dedicated to strengthening communities around the world. This funding reinforces Airbnb’s

commitment to addressing housing affordability and supporting local organizations working to make a difference.

A portion of this generous contribution will directly support the 2025 Housing Summit, scheduled for April 9th, 2025,

and held in the Eckburg Auditorium on the Savannah Technical College campus, where Airbnb will be recognized as

the Presenting Sponsor. This pivotal event will convene key stakeholders—community leaders, policymakers, and

housing advocates—for impactful discussions on critical issues such as increasing housing supply, expanding

affordable housing, promoting sustainability, and advancing equitable development in Savannah.

The remaining grant funds will support another of Housing Savannah’s initiatives, which is focused on building the

pipeline of small-scale and incremental developers, aimed at expanding affordable housing opportunities throughout

the region.

"This generous contribution from the Airbnb Community Fund will significantly enhance our ability to engage the

community and drive meaningful discussions on the future of housing in the greater-Savannah area," said Laura Lane

McKinnon, Housing Savannah’s Executive Director. "We are grateful for Airbnb's partnership as we continue working

toward a community where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing."

“The Savannah Host Club is proud to nominate and support Housing Savannah, because of the vital role the

organization plays in strengthening our community by improving access to safe, affordable housing,” said Marquii

Jacobs, Savannah Host Club Leader. “We hope to amplify their impact and create more opportunities for Airbnb hosts

to give back to the community.”

Launched in 2020, the Airbnb Community Fund is a $100 million initiative to directly support local communities and

the people who live there. Each year, Airbnb donates to organizations that are supporting and strengthening

communities around the world, including donations made in partnership with local hosts in many of these

communities. Members of 85 local Host Clubs, which are led by volunteer hosts, nominated local, community-based

non-profit organizations making a difference in their communities.(912) 651-6766

P.O. Box 23121

Savannah, GA 31403

www.HousingSavannah.org

We grow community resources to create and preserve housing that is affordable for everyone.

501c3 non-profit • EIN #92-0902942 • Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law

This year’s Community Fund grants were directed to organizations focused on three issue areas identified by the

Airbnb Host Advisory Board as important to the global host community: economic empowerment, environmental

sustainability, and ending abuse and exploitation.

The 2025 Housing Summit will bring together expert speakers, dynamic panel discussions, and cutting-edge housing

solutions to address the challenges facing Savannah and beyond. Airbnb’s generous sponsorship amplifies the event’s

impact—fostering deeper community engagement, driving innovative solutions, and expanding the conversation on

the future of housing.

For more information about the 2025 Housing Summit, including program, speaker, and registration details, visit

https://housingsavannah.org/summit-2025/