TOPEKA, Kan. – GO Topeka, which oversees the Choose Topeka relocation initiative, announced Thursday it has partnered with Airbnb, an online marketplace for lodging, to offer free local stays to those considering becoming residents.
“Through this partnership, potential residents will be able to ‘try before they buy,’ prior to making the commitment to the Choose Topeka program — and can truly experience what life could look like here if selected,” said Barbara Stapleton, vice president of business retention and talent initiatives for GO Topeka.
According to the news release about the new partnership, Airbnb donated $15,000 to Choose Topeka to cover the costs of those short-term rentals. People looking to take advantage of the opportunity should soon be able to apply for such a stay through Airbnb’s “online experiences” tab.
“In a new Airbnb survey,” said Chris Lehane, the company’s senior vice president for global public policy and communications, “44% of consumers across five countries are interested in trying out a new city before buying a home there, including 47% of Americans.”
Choose Topeka, Airbnb’s partnership aims to give potential movers a taste
In light of those numbers, local officials hope the partnership urges people to give the capital city of Kansas a shot.
“We encourage anyone that is considering taking advantage of all that Topeka has to offer to come check it out yourself,” Stapleton said. “We think you will be surprised.”
Since its launch in late 2019, Choose Topeka has helped 40 applicants from across the U.S. relocate to the city. Of those applicants, 21 have chosen to buy homes in the area, and 19 are renting property. Many of the applicants also brought family with them.
How does Choose Topeka work?
Choose Topeka works by reimbursing individuals who receive local job offers and are accepted into the program up to $15,000 when they buy a home locally and up to $10,000 if renting housing in the area. The program was amended last year to include remote workers, who may receive up to $10,000 for purchasing a home and up to $5,000 for signing a one-year lease.
