Press Releases

Today Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-5) submitted a letter to Airbnb, Inc. CEO, Brian Chesky. The letter, which can be read here, addresses recent reports of discrimination against African Americans and other minorities who attempt to book rooms online with Airbnb.

Title II of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation, including hotels and motels, because of race, color, religion or national origin. Yet, several African American consumers have been subjected to discrimination on the Airbnb Internet platform.

Airbnb is an online booking site that allows prospective guests to rent out citizens’ homes or rooms in their homes. Airbnb features a guest profile page which includes a picture, as well as other details about the guest. Some online users, particularly African Americans and other minorities, including members of the LGBT community, applied for accommodations online but were rejected. Some were told the room was not available then later saw the same place listed as available.

“Racism and any form of discrimination should never be tolerated in our society,” said Chairman Butterfield. “Members of the CBC are deeply concerned about recent reports of exclusion of African Americans on the Airbnb platform, and we sincerely hope the leadership of Airbnb will take the issue of discrimination seriously and implement common sense measures to prevent such discrimination and ill-treatment of its customers in the future.”   

“Perhaps, we, as a nation have not moved as much as we like to brag that we have regarding discrimination and homeowners just do not want people of a different race in their homes.  If that is the case, you should not be permitted to utilize an interstate commerce platform such as Airbnb,” said Congressman Cleaver.

Chairman Butterfield and Congressman Cleaver urge Airbnb to conduct a comprehensive review of these accusations. Additionally, they recommend Airbnb pinpoint how this issue is occurring to ensure an end to such practices and to not permit users to post availability of their units for 48 hours after they reject someone from renting their unit.

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Since its establishment in 1971, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have joined together to empower America’s neglected citizens and address their legislative concerns.  For more than 40 years, the CBC has consistently been the voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress and has been committed to utilizing the full Constitutional power and statutory authority of the United States government to ensure that all U.S. citizens have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream.  To learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus, visit http://cbc-butterfield.house.gov.

Media inquiries: Candace Randle Person at (202) 593-1331 or Candace.Person@mail.house.gov