NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — When Nashville Mayor John Cooper issued an executive order to close down bars and restaurants for to the public, it hard in the entertainment district. A lack of tourists impacted service workers, musicians, hotels and even short term rental owners.
Travers Xanthose owns several short term properties in Nashville and he says business has been good for years, until COVID-19 hit.
Even though Xanthos is facing a hardship of his own he wanted to help others.
"We have expenses to pay whether it’s mortgage or rent cost or utilities; so we’re basically lowering the prices as much as we can, just really enough to keep the lights on," said Xanthos.
Xanthos and hundreds of other Airbnb hosts are providing temporary housing for medical teams at the lowest possible price.
"A lot of the people that have been reaching out to us haven’t just been nurses coming to town to help, but it’s also people established here in Nashville and want to keep their families safe by having somewhere else to stay while they’re working, said Xanthos.
The move allows hosts to still make some money while helping health care workers, said Xanthos, who created a website called Med Relief Housing to help get the word out.
Airbnb provided similar accommodations for victims during deadly tornadoes that tore through Middle Tennessee in March. Xanthos says it was only right to open their doors again for the heroes on the front lines in the fight against Coronavirus.
