How Airbnb and Its Hosts Are Stepping Up in LA’s Wildfire Crisis

Good morning,

As of this morning, LA’s wildfires are still unleashing chaos:

• 24 lives lost.

• Over 12,400 homes, businesses, schools, and churches destroyed or damaged.

• 180,000 people evacuated and counting.

The Palisades Fire? It’s scorched 23,713 acres with just 13% contained.
The Eaton Fire? 14,117 acres burned, sitting at 27% containment.

It’s a nightmare scenario. But amidst the destruction, there’s a surprising bright spot: Airbnb.org has committed to housing 31,500 wildfire evacuees—for free.

Wait… Airbnb.org? What’s That?

Airbnb.org is Airbnb’s nonprofit sidekick. Think of it as the quieter, good-deed sibling—focused on one mission: emergency housing for people in crisis.

The idea started small. Back in 2012, an Airbnb host let people displaced by Hurricane Sandy stay at her place—for free. That one act spiraled into a movement. Today, over 60,000 Airbnb hosts have stepped up, offering housing to more than 250,000 people worldwide.

Here’s How Airbnb.org Makes an Impact:

1. Refugee Housing: They’ve housed refugees fleeing conflicts—from Afghan families to Ukrainians escaping violence.

2. Disaster Relief: When wildfires, hurricanes, or earthquakes hit, Airbnb.org links evacuees, volunteers, and relief workers to free or discounted housing.

3. Supporting Healthcare Workers: During COVID, they helped frontline workers find free or discounted stays when they needed it most.

How Does It Work?

Airbnb.org taps into Airbnb’s tech platform, using their network to connect people in need with generous hosts nearby. Here’s the playbook:

• Nonprofit Backbone: Airbnb.org is a separate, independent 501(c)(3) public charity.

• Zero Overhead: Airbnb covers all operational costs and waives service fees for every stay.

• Hosts Help Big: Many hosts offer stays for free or at discounted rates, while donations cover the gap.

100% of donations go straight to providing housing during emergencies.

Want to Get Involved? Here’s How:

Feeling inspired? You don’t need to own a mansion or a beachfront property to help. Here are three ways you can pitch in:

1. List Your Space: Offer your place at a discount—or even for free—during times of crisis.

2. Donate a Slice: Pledge a percentage of your hosting payout to Airbnb.org.

3. Make a Donation: Go old-school and donate directly through the Airbnb website here.

The Bottom Line

Airbnb takes a lot of heat in the media, but stories like this remind us what’s possible when tech meets humanity. Behind every headline is a host stepping up—and that’s something worth celebrating.

So yeah, the wildfires are devastating. But for 31,500 evacuees, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel—and it’s powered by the generosity of Airbnb’s community.

Thats something to be proud of.

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