Paul Gosar Calls Out Airbnb For Prioritizing Afghan Refugees Over Homeless and Homeless Veterans in America

CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, announced today that the company “will begin housing 20,000 Afghan refugees globally for free.”

U.S. House Rep Paul Gosar (R-AZ) called out the lodging corporation for its decision and told Chesky, “There’s 41,000 homeless in LA. Nationally we have 37,000 homeless veterans. Glad to see you guys will step up here too.”

There’s 41,000 homeless in LA. Nationally we have 37,000 homeless veterans. Glad to see you guys will step up here too. https://t.co/dp6uHHE1ex

— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) August 24, 2021

CBS News reported that according to the company, the announcement is an expansion on the company’s ongoing efforts to help Afghan refugees.

Over the weekend, 165 refugees were placed in safe housing after they arrived in the U.S., and last week, Airbnb’s non-profit also provided emergency funding to the International Rescue Committee, HIAS and the Church World Service to provide “immediate temporary stays” for up to 1,000 Afghan refugees, CBS News reported as well.

In a subsequent tweet, Chesky added, “The displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees in the US and elsewhere is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time. We feel a responsibility to step up.”

The displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees in the US and elsewhere is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time. We feel a responsibility to step up.

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) August 24, 2021

Code of Vets also called out Chesky in a response to his tweet and said, “Interesting priorities. We have 60,000 homeless American veterans.”

Interesting priorities. We have 60,000 homeless American veterans.

— Code of Vets ™ (@codeofvets) August 24, 2021

In a statement, Chesky explained, “As tens of thousands of Afghan refugees resettle around the world, where they stay will be the first chapter in their new lives. For these 20,000 refugees, my hope is that the Airbnb community will provide them with not only a safe place to rest and start over, but also a warm welcome home.”

Additionally, the statement noted, “Over the past four years, Airbnb.org and Airbnb have connected approximately 25,000 refugees – including hundreds participating in the US Special Immigrant Visa Program – to temporary housing. Earlier this year, Airbnb.org announced the creation of the $25 million Refugee Fund, to further expand Airbnb.org’s support of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide.”

Last June, Airbnb donated a total of $500,000 to the NAACP and the Black Lives Matter Foundation, and announced that they were matching employee donations to the two organizations.