In an effort to support communities across the country during this unprecedented public health crisis, the American Hotel and Lodging Association announced AHLA's Hospitality for Hope Initiative to connect hotel properties with the health community struggling to find housing and support as the COVID-19 public health crisis grows.
The newly launched initiative, announced in partnership with AHLA partner state associations across the country, has identified over 6,500 properties nationwide located in close proximity to established healthcare facilities that are at the ready to assist government efforts and work with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the US Army CORPS of Engineers and local emergency management and public health agencies to provide access to hotel properties to support the health community and our nation’s first responders who may be in need of temporary housing during this crucial time.
To help match and streamline the process for willing hotel properties to connect with federal, state, and local governments, AHLA is working to create a national database at the federal level with HHS and at the local level with industry partner state associations. Local, state and federal government officials will be able to search willing properties based on geographic location.
Hotels interested in joining AHLA's Hospitality for Hope Initiative can volunteer HERE. Already, examples of hotels partnering with local and state officials in communities are being reported in Chicago and California, and more efforts are expected in the coming days and weeks, including New York City and Texas.
About AHLA
The American Hotel & Lodging Association is the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry and contributes nearly $660 billion to U.S. GDP. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Every day, America’s hotels make dreams come true, not just for our guests, but also for the 8.3 million people whose jobs we support—more than 1 in every 25 American jobs. Learn more at www.ahla.com.
