Hurricane Dorian: Airbnb offering free housing for evacuees, relief workers
Airbnb will help Hurricane Dorian evacuees scratch one significant line item off their list — housing.
The online vacation rental portal will offer free temporary housing to displaced individuals and relief workers deployed to help between now and September 16. Airbnb hosts in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama have joined Airbnb's Open Homes Program. You can find available housing from more than 800 hosts here.
» Hurricane tracker: Where is Hurricane Dorian now?
» Hurricane Dorian: Do you live in a hurricane evacuation zone?
Since Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in 2012, Airbnb hosts have opened their homes to evacuees in similar natural disasters to relieve the financial burden of evacuating from affected areas.
“When disasters strike, our response tool is activated to create additional housing – in or nearby the affected area,” read a statement on Airbnb’s site. “When the tool is activated, Airbnb automatically contacts hosts in the impacted and surrounding areas asking if they have extra space to share with their displaced neighbors. Hosts who respond choose to list their spaces free of charge, and Airbnb waives all booking fees.”
Here’s how you can help Airbnb offer free lodging to Hurricane Dorian evacuees:
- Create a verified Airbnb account or, for existing members, log in at https://www.airbnb.com/disaster.
- Sign up your home for a cause of choice.
- Once your home is listed, agency partners and verified account holders can send requests to stay at your home.
Hosts can decide how long they list their homes for free. Airbnb will expand the territory for hosts offering free lodging if necessary.
More AJC coverage of Hurricane Dorian
» Georgia counties under a state of emergency
» South Georgia wary of Dorian: 'I don't know if we can stand another one'
About the Authors
Stephanie has been telling stories her whole life. Her interest in the written word started with short stories and journal entries about run-ins with classroom bullies as a child and matured to writing for her high school newspaper over the years. She has written and edited for The Tennessean, Augusta Chronicle and American City & County.
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
