With the estimated one million visitors coming to DC for the 2017 Inauguration and the Women’s March on Washington the day after, the DMV area is tasked with housing them. The Trump supporters and protesters visiting the District have managed to fill up all of the hotels in the area, so many have had to turn to Airbnb, an online marketplace where people can rent out their homes, to find a place to stay. With expected inflated hotel prices this comes as no surprise.
The Trump Hotel refused to comment on when they became full, but are booked from January 17 through 21. Hotels in Virginia and Maryland have also benefitted from the incoming guests with hotels like The Hyatt in Arlington, Virginia charging upwards of 300 dollars per night. Other visitors chose to book houses, apartments, or even just single rooms for the weekend. One Cleveland Park home posted on Airbnb costs 795 dollars a night to rent with a grand total of 4,097 dollars, after taxes and other fees, for January 17 through 21. Another home in 16th Street Heights is charging 3,500 dollars a night and is making a whopping total of 15,158 dollars for the same dates. One house claiming to be in Capitol Heights- the map shows it’s actually in Maryland- is renting a shared room for one guest at 604 dollars per night. The high demand for housing brought by the Inauguration and Women’s March has provided many homeowners the chance to make some extra money, as long as they don’t mind company.
Wilson sophomore Sammy Solomon’s family has a guest house and takes advantage of the opportunity to rent it out year-round, especially during inauguration years. Solomon’s Forest Hills guest house usually goes for 300 dollars a night, but the rate increased to 3,000 dollars for the days surrounding the Inauguration. “This year it’s [being rented by] people there for Trump so we didn’t feel bad about charging them a lot of money,” Solomon said about the inflated price. Once the Trump supporters leave, protesters participating in the Women’s March will replace them, both of which contacted the Solomons through Airbnb. Tourists looking to visit the District shouldn’t fear, however, as prices will return to normal once the Inauguration events have concluded.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA BUZBEE
