With the World Cup upon us this summer and the LA Olympics just two years away, the issue of housing and living accommodations has become a major topic of discussion. With travelers flocking from around the world, we see people searching hotels, apartments, and homes to rent in many of our major cities throughout Los Angeles and the South Bay. It was no coincidence that in June 2025, Airbnb and FIFA announced a multi tournament partnership moving into the future. It is reported that over 380,000 guests are expected to use Airbnb for their housing needs during the World Cup 2026, generating an estimated impact of $3.6 billion for the local economies of host cities.
To examine how this will impact local housing, we will touch on what we are hearing and seeing in our own communities. To add some background, our own Peter Hazdovac has been named the Committee Chairman for “Croatia House” in San Pedro for LA28. This group, selected by our local councilman, Tim McOsker, is composed of individuals ranging from local government, Port of LA, Chamber of Commerce, and other community advocates. A country’s “House” is not a place where they actually sleep, but more a location for each country to share their culture, traditions, gastronomy, etc., with the Olympic spirit in mind! In our coastal town, this will feel more like a pavilion on our waterfront with viewing screens and a location for the public to come together, celebrate athletes who are coming to compete, while also mixing various events in our community. San Pedro was the first city in LA to be named a “House” for a select country for LA28 and, with the large Croatian community, it is a perfect fit. As you can imagine, this will also attract people from around the world, give our community an economic boost, and offer a golden opportunity to share our fantastic town with many. But where will everyone sleep?
Eighteen months into our planning for LA28, we have come to realize that our options for short-term housing are extremely limited! We can also connect this on a broader economic scale, which exposes our lack of housing inventory and availability of new housing. This has been an ongoing theme in our past articles and one of the primary reasons why our local housing prices remain stable. To add to our need for local housing solutions, San Pedro’s outer harbor was named the location of sailing for LA28 which will attract another group of worldwide travelers coming to train, prepare, and eventually compete. These sailing teams do not just come for the actual Olympics, but they begin traveling to the locations of competition months and years in advance to acclimate to the conditions that they will face when in a real competition. With hotels in our area hovering at a 3 star level and rising prices due to high demand, travelers are looking for alternatives, especially those who are staying for longer periods of time. So how can you possibly get involved, support, or even monetize these events coming to our area? Some home and condo owners are looking at this as an opportunity to jump into short-term rentals. Although you must meet a certain criterion for renting out a furnished property, the rents an owner is able to fetch for these events can sometimes be two to four times above what the normal rents would be for long-term tenant rentals. With the ever-changing landlord/tenant laws in Los Angeles, we are hearing of more owners turning away from traditional rental models and considering the unique opportunity that this will present. Have an Airbnb or furnished rental you would like to share with our local Olympic planning committee? Please email us at info@hhcoastal.com and we can add to our internal list of potential available housing.
Why San Pedro for “Croatia House”?
For those unfamiliar with our community’s deep Croatian roots, the selection of San Pedro as the home for Croatia House wasn’t random — it was inevitable. San Pedro is home to one of the largest Croatian communities in the United States, with approximately 30,000 residents proudly embracing their Croatian heritage. Our community of over 80,000 people has been shaped by Croatian traditions for generations, from cultural festivals and folk dance performances at the Croatian American Hall to the everyday fabric of life along our waterfront. When Croatian athletes and supporters arrive for LA28, they won’t be walking into a staged experience — they’ll be stepping into a neighborhood that has been living and breathing Croatian culture for over a century.
Beyond the cultural connection, San Pedro offers a strategic location within the LA region with convenient access to major Olympic venues. With sailing events taking place right here in our outer harbor and iconic LA attractions a short drive away, Croatia House will sit at the intersection of competition and celebration. Our proposal has garnered strong support from local leaders, businesses, and elected officials, and the vision is to create a vibrant hub filled with art, music, and culinary experiences that reflect the heart and soul of Croatia. This isn’t just hospitality — it’s a homecoming.
What to Expect at Croatia House
Think of Croatia House as part cultural pavilion, part community celebration. Visitors will experience authentic Croatian cuisine, live music and traditional folk performances, art exhibitions, and large-screen viewing areas to watch Olympic events together. It will be open to the public and designed to bring together Croatian athletes, diaspora from across the country, international visitors, and our own San Pedro neighbors. If you’ve ever attended one of our local Croatian festivals, imagine that energy amplified on a global stage — with the Olympic spirit fueling every moment.
For San Pedro, this is more than a two-week event. It’s a chance to put our community on the world map and demonstrate what we’ve known all along: that our waterfront town is one of the best-kept secrets in Los Angeles.
How You Can Get Involved
Whether you’re a local business owner looking to participate, a homeowner considering short-term rental options during the Games, or simply a community member who wants to volunteer and support, there are ways to contribute to making Croatia House a success. Stay connected with the planning committee’s progress and reach out if you’d like to be part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity for San Pedro.
