Airbnb.org
Free short-term housing for people displaced by disasters, illness, or crisis.
Photo credit: Airbnb.org
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Airbnb.org is an independent nonprofit founded by Airbnb that provides free temporary housing to people experiencing disasters, medical emergencies, displacement, and other crises. It uses Airbnb’s technology and global network of homes to help individuals and families find accommodations that fit their circumstances, including properties with space for children, pets, accessibility needs, or extended stays near medical care.
The organization traces its origins to 2012, when an Airbnb host offered her home for free to people displaced by Hurricane Sandy. Other hosts followed, and the initiative eventually became Airbnb.org, a separate nonprofit organization established in 2020.
Airbnb.org works with local nonprofits, government agencies, hospitals, and other community partners to identify people who need housing. Eligible guests receive Airbnb credits that allow them to select an available home based on their location, family size, accessibility requirements, and other needs. Guests stay for free, while hosts receive payment. Hosts can also support the organization by discounting stays or donating a portion of their Airbnb earnings.
Its programs include emergency stays following hurricanes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters. Medical stays support patients, families, caregivers, and medical professionals who must travel for treatment or care. Resettlement stays provide temporary housing for people displaced by conflict or violence. Airbnb.org is also expanding support for survivors leaving domestic violence and exploitation, as well as veterans traveling for serious medical treatment.
Key benefits
Free emergency stays
Partner groups place guests in short-term homes after disasters, illness, or displacement.
Room for families
Stays can include space for children, pets, and accessibility needs.
Donations fund stays
Airbnb covers operating costs, and the site says 100% of donations pay for emergency housing.
Airbnb.org converts Airbnb’s existing technology, global housing inventory, and host community into temporary housing infrastructure for people in crisis.
Local nonprofits, government agencies, hospitals, and community organizations identify eligible individuals and families. Airbnb.org then provides booking credits that allow guests to choose suitable accommodations through the Airbnb platform. This gives people more control over where they stay and helps them find housing that fits their family size, location, accessibility, medical, and pet related needs.
Airbnb pays the nonprofit’s operating costs, allowing public donations to fund stays directly. Hosts are paid for bookings, although they may choose to offer discounts or donate part of their earnings.
The organization combines corporate funding, individual donations, host participation, local partnerships, and Airbnb’s global marketplace to respond to both large disasters and smaller emergencies that may affect only a few families.
- Free housing provided: More than 1.6 million nights since 2020
- People supported: More than 250,000 people worldwide
- Geographic reach: Temporary housing provided in more than 135 countries
- Platform reach: Access to Airbnb’s global network of approximately nine million listings
- Recurring funding: Ten cents of Airbnb revenue contributed for every completed home stay
- Five year funding expectation: $500 million from Airbnb support and additional donations
- Long term goal: One million free housing nights annually by 2030
- Donation allocation: Airbnb.org reports that 100% of public donations fund temporary stays because Airbnb covers operating expenses
Frequently asked questions
- What does Airbnb.org do?
- Airbnb.org is an independent nonprofit founded by Airbnb that provides free temporary housing to people experiencing disasters, medical emergencies, displacement, and other crises. It uses Airbnb’s technology and global network of homes to help individuals and families find accommodations that fit their circumstances, including properties with space for children, pets, accessibility needs, or e…
- Where is Airbnb.org based?
- Airbnb.org is based in California, United States.
- What sector does Airbnb.org operate in?
- Airbnb.org operates in the Built Environment sector.
- Who founded Airbnb.org?
- Airbnb
At a glance
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- Founded
- 2020
