Airbnb.org announced it has committed $5 million to offer free, temporary housing, funded by the company and its donors, to people displaced by Hurricane Ian in the United States and Hurricane Fiona in the Caribbean, together with partners on the ground.
In the United States, Airbnb.org is working with local non-profit organisations, including Florida-based Global Empowerment Mission, and state and local officials to identify those in need of temporary housing. Eligible individuals must be connected to Airbnb.org via one of its official referral partners. While Airbnb.org’s key focus is to offer emergency stays to people displaced by the hurricanes, it is also teaming up with organisations such as CORE Response, Operation Blessing and Inspiritus to provide accommodation for first responders assisting with recovery efforts on the ground.
Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Fiona – including damage to critical infrastructures such as water, power, fuel, and food access – has complicated emergency response efforts. Airbnb.org partners CORE Response and SBP are on the ground in Puerto Rico and leveraging Airbnb.org grants to accommodate their first responders. Airbnb.org is in touch with local emergency management agencies and other non-profit organisations to track developments on the ground and establish how it can best support temporary housing efforts as conditions improve.
“Our thoughts are with the people displaced by Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian, and the first responders and organisations on the ground who diligently work to assist in the wake of these disasters. We are grateful to Airbnb.org’s non-profit partners and public agencies that will leverage Airbnb.org and Airbnb resources to connect people in need to a temporary place they can call home while they rebuild,” said Catherine Powell, Airbnb’s Global Head of Hosting and executive sponsor of Airbnb.org.
Disaster response is part of Airbnb.org’s mission to support people in times of need. This inspiration began in 2012 with a single host named Shell, who welcomed people impacted by Hurricane Sandy to her home with open arms. This sparked a movement and signalled the beginning of a programme that allows Hosts on Airbnb to offer stays for people in times of need. Since then, the programme has evolved to provide accommodation for evacuees, relief workers, refugees and asylum seekers.
Separately, Airbnb has also donated $250,000 to the Florida Disaster Relief Fund to support Florida communities impacted by Hurricane Ian.
