New research highlights hosting as an engine for Latino generational wealth
A USHCC/Airbnb-commissioned poll of 1,516 U.S. adults finds 76% of Latino adults view short-term hosting as a practical income supplement, with retirement security and multigenerational wealth as key motivators.
A national study commissioned by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), in partnership with Airbnb, reveals that home sharing is emerging as a gateway to small business ownership, retirement security, and financial resilience for Latino families.
The U.S. Latino community continues to power national economic momentum, contributing more than $3.6 trillion to the American GDP.1 A new national poll commissioned by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), in partnership with Airbnb, finds that Latino adults increasingly view short-term rental hosting not as a passive side hustle, but as a legitimate entry point into business ownership and a practical tool for long-term economic independence.
Where traditional business formation often requires credit and capital that many Latino entrepreneurs struggle to access, short-term hosting utilizes an asset millions of Latino families already own: their homes.
Key findings from the report:
84% of Latino adults say flexible income opportunities help families manage rising living costs.2
76% say short-term hosting can be a practical way to supplement household income.3
73% say hosting can help families make resourceful use of property they already own.4
71% say hosting can help families use property to support multiple generations, rising to 81% among those living in multigenerational households.5
Among Latino adults who have hosted, over two thirds say it helped pay household expenses and 1 in 2 say it made them feel more financially secure.6
This report brings new light to the entrepreneurial spirit that has for generations helped build this country and is a key pillar of Hispanic heritage. With these fresh findings, we understand that by hosting on Airbnb, Latinos generate vital income to navigate the current cost of living, save for retirement, and create a lasting family legacy. We’re proud to have the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a thought and community partner in championing Latino communities.
Jordi Torres Mallol, Airbnb Regional Director for the Americas
Latino hosts on entrepreneurship, family, and retirement
The study's findings reflect the real-world experiences of Latino hosts across the country who rely on hosting to support their families, care for relatives, and build lasting legacy businesses.
I found myself in a forced early retirement in 2015 due to a disability, trying to find a way to make income... Airbnb changed my life.
Helen Betances, Airbnb host
Advocating for balanced, common-sense regulations
The report reveals that Latinos want to keep short-term rentals as an accessible pathway to opportunity:
91% agree that short-term rental hosts should pay their fair share of taxes and meet basic safety standards.7
52% favor allowing responsible hosting under reasonable guidelines, compared to 43% of the general population sample,8 and 79% say rules should be clear and easy to understand.9
The findings demonstrate that balanced policies preserve accessible pathways to financial security, whereas disproportionate restrictions directly impede generational wealth creation for Latino families.
It's a big deal for our kids to see their parents, who are Hispanic, in positions of leadership and successfully managing a business on a platform like this.
Gina Ortiz, Latino host & Community Leader
Empowering Latino hosts and neighborhood economies
Partnerships like the one between Airbnb and the USHCC reinforce a shared commitment to expanding economic opportunity and wealth diversification for Latino communities. By converting property into productive business assets, Latino hosts are launching micro-enterprises, keeping tourism dollars within local neighborhoods, and building financial resilience for future generations.
We are in our mid-60s and we care for our 90-year-old mothers. Airbnb allows us to generate income while maintaining the flexibility that our family situation requires.
Agustín Vizcarra, Airbnb host
1According to the USHCC, the economic output of Latinos in the United States has reached over $3.6 trillion, underscoring the community’s role as a primary driver of national economic growth and business formation.
2According to the USHCC report, which draws on a national bilingual survey of 1,516 U.S. adults, these entrepreneurial attitudes are highly practical and are especially strong among Latino adults under 45 (83%) and current or former independent workers (88%). These demographics view flexible income and small business creation as realistic paths to financial stability rather than mere aspirations
3This economic appeal extends significantly beyond active participants. According to the USHCC report, 94% of current or former Latino hosts, 89% of those who have considered hosting, and 68% of individuals who have never considered hosting recognize its potential to supplement household earnings.
4Financial security is frequently viewed through a multigenerational lens within the Latino community. The USHCC report reveals that 69% of all Latino adults agree hosting builds financial stability across generations. This sentiment is deeply tied to cultural values, as 72% of respondents emphasize the importance of welcoming relatives and guests into the home.
5According to the USHCC report, hosting income primarily serves core practical needs rather than discretionary spending. Specifically, 62% of Latino hosts use it for regular household expenses, 51% for mortgage or property expenses, and 48% report it helps them feel more financially secure. Furthermore, 42% utilize this income to build emergency savings.
6Retirement security is emerging as a critical driver for hosting. According to the USHCC report, 68% of all Latino adults believe hosting can supplement retirement income. This figure rises notably to 78% among adults aged 55 and older, and reaches 82% among homeowners in that same age bracket.
7According to the USHCC report, this overwhelming consensus aligns with a broader demand for clear community safeguards. The survey data shows that 79% of Latino adults believe local rules should be clear and easy to understand, and a strong majority prefer that local governments prioritize safety and neighborhood standards rather than outright bans.
8According to the USHCC report, Latino adults favor a regulatory middle ground, strongly supporting clear and easy-to-understand local rules (79%) that distinguish individual hosts from large commercial operators (74%). Support for reasonable hosting requirements is particularly strong among groups who rely on flexible income, such as current or former entrepreneurs (63%), financially insecure individuals (61%), and homeowners (60%)
9According to the USHCC report, support for basic, straightforward standards remains high alongside the desire for flexible income. The survey notes that 79% of Latino adults believe local rules should be clear and easy to understand, while 74% emphasize that regulations should distinguish individual hosts from large commercial operators.
About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)
The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is America’s largest small business advocacy group, representing over 260 local chambers and business associations nationwide and partners with hundreds of major American corporations. Annually, more than $4.4 trillion GDP is contributed by U.S. Latinos, forming a vital economic force. The USHCC is dedicated to supporting 70 million Latinos nationwide. The USHCC actively promotes the economic growth, development, and interests of more than five million Hispanic-owned businesses.
For more information, please visit USHCC.com.
About the study methodology
This report draws on a national bilingual survey of 1,516 U.S. adults, including 1,211 Latino adults and a 305 general-population comparison sample. The survey was self-administered online in English and Spanish and examined entrepreneurship, financial security, family and community values, flexible income, retirement, generational wealth, and attitudes toward local policy. Results were weighted separately to appropriate population benchmarks.
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays, experiences, and services that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.