Open Homes · Disaster Relief
Host people in need of emergency housing
Offer free, temporary housing to people who need a place to call home.
Open Homes · Disaster Relief
Host people in need of emergency housing
Offer free, temporary housing to people who need a place to call home.
When disasters strike, many people are in need of temporary housing. Whether it’s neighbors evacuating or relief workers deployed to help, a home gives people much-needed space to figure out what’s next.
Hosts can play an important role in their community’s response and recovery — just by offering their extra space. Since 2012, hosts have opened their doors to people affected by disasters all over the world.

Your space can provide comfort to someone during a difficult time.

Your space can provide comfort to someone during a difficult time.

When disasters strike, many people are in need of temporary housing. Whether it’s neighbors evacuating or relief workers deployed to help, a home gives people much-needed space to figure out what’s next.
Hosts can play an important role in their community’s response and recovery — just by offering their extra space. Since 2012, hosts have opened their doors to people affected by disasters all over the world.

How it works

Marie
Paris, France
Born and raised in Paris, I am passionate about opening my space and providing a safe and comfortable environment.
1
Create a profile
To create your profile, you’ll be asked for basic details like your full name, profile photo, and email address. You can also share what inspired you to host.
Marie
Paris, France
Born and raised in Paris, I am passionate about opening my space and providing a safe and comfortable environment.
1
Create a profile
To create your profile, you’ll be asked for basic details like your full name, profile photo, and email address. You can also share what inspired you to host.
2
Create a listing
Tell us about where your space is located, how many people it can accommodate, and when it’s available. If you’re already a host, you can choose an existing listing.
Entire home
A home to help
3 guests
Studio
2 beds
1 bath
Entire home
A home to help
3 guests
Studio
2 beds
1 bath
2
Create a listing
Tell us about where your space is located, how many people it can accommodate, and when it’s available. If you’re already a host, you can choose an existing listing.
Hi Marie,
I work for an organization that helps those who have lost their homes in a disaster and are trying to recover.
3
Respond to requests
Guests will message you if they think your place is a good fit, or you may be contacted by a nonprofit that makes bookings on behalf of their clients or relief workers, many who are volunteers. To create a booking, guests must certify that they are displaced. You can ask questions, agree on logistics, and set expectations about the stay before anything is official.
Hi Marie,
I work for an organization that helps those who have lost their homes in a disaster and are trying to recover.
3
Respond to requests
Guests will message you if they think your place is a good fit, or you may be contacted by a nonprofit that makes bookings on behalf of their clients or relief workers, many who are volunteers. To create a booking, guests must certify that they are displaced. You can ask questions, agree on logistics, and set expectations about the stay before anything is official.
4
Get ready to host
Open Homes has links to resources and answers to commonly asked questions, and our team is here to support you if you have any questions as you get ready for your guest’s stay. You can also communicate with the nonprofit or guest if you have any questions about their upcoming stay.
4
Get ready to host
Open Homes has links to resources and answers to commonly asked questions, and our team is here to support you if you have any questions as you get ready for your guest’s stay. You can also communicate with the nonprofit or guest if you have any questions about their upcoming stay.

Who you’d help

PEOPLE DIRECTLY AFFECTED
As a host, you might hear from different people who were affected by the disaster. This can include people who had to evacuate or family members of survivors who want to be by their side while they receive medical care.
PEOPLE DIRECTLY AFFECTED
As a host, you might hear from different people who were affected by the disaster. This can include people who had to evacuate or family members of survivors who want to be by their side while they receive medical care.
RELIEF WORKERS
We partner with organizations all over the world to help provide temporary housing for those deployed to support relief and recovery efforts. This can include first responders, volunteers, and nonprofit relief workers.
RELIEF WORKERS
We partner with organizations all over the world to help provide temporary housing for those deployed to support relief and recovery efforts. This can include first responders, volunteers, and nonprofit relief workers.

What you need to host

All you have to do is provide guests with a welcoming space and help answer any questions that come up.
  • An entire home or apartment
  • A comfortable bed
  • Basic amenities and toiletries
  • Availability for 2 or more days in a row

What you need to host

All you have to do is provide guests with a welcoming space and help answer any questions that come up.
  • An entire home or apartment
  • A comfortable bed
  • Basic amenities and toiletries
  • Availability for 2 or more days in a row

How we support you

We know this can feel like a big commitment. That’s why we do our best to offer resources and protections before and during a stay.
24/7 phone support and resources
You’re not in this alone. In addition to Airbnb’s 24/7 customer support team, you’ll have access to a specialized team for any questions about an Open Homes reservation.
Reimbursements for property damage
Though accidental damage is rare, we understand you may need protection. The Host Guarantee will reimburse every host for property damages up to $1,000,000.

Your questions answered

What is Open Homes?

Open Homes connects people with a free place to stay in times of need. The idea for Open Homes came from Airbnb hosts in 2012. After Hurricane Sandy hit New York, hosts decided to offer their homes for free to neighbors who were forced to evacuate. Inspired by their generosity, Open Homes became an official part of Airbnb.

Since then, it’s expanded to support evacuees, relief workers, medical patients, refugees and asylum seekers. We partner with trusted nonprofits like Mercy Corps, the International Rescue Committee, and the Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation to develop the program and connect their clients with a free place to stay in times of need.

Open Homes stays are always free for the guests. Some hosts choose to host Open Homes stays for free by signing up with the Open Homes community. If you haven't signed up to host guests for free on Open Homes, you'll still receive your usual payment for your listing when you have an Open Homes booking. Airbnb waives all service fees for these reservations.

Who can host on Open Homes?

Open Homes hosts have many of the same expectations as regular Airbnb hosts. Hosts must meet Airbnb’s hospitality standards, which include accurately representing your listing and availability, as well as providing a safe, secure, and clean space for guests. All hosts and guests are required to uphold Airbnb’s community standards.

Almost anyone can sign up to be an Open Homes host. The listings available on the site are as diverse as the hosts who list them, and you can post shared spaces, private rooms, or entire homes. Find out more about home types to see how to describe your space.

Sometimes a staff member from one of our nonprofit partners will book on behalf of their client and may have additional requests based on their client’s needs. In these cases, the nonprofit staff member will communicate with the host ahead of time to make sure your space is a good fit.

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Who is eligible to book on Open Homes?

Open Homes provides free places to stay for people in times of need. The program supports evacuees, relief workers, medical patients and their caregivers, refugees, and asylum seekers.

If you’re a guest in need of emergency housing, learn more about how to book an Open Homes stay. Check this article and the Open Homes page regularly to find the most current programs and eligibility requirements, which are subject to change.

Disaster relief

In the aftermath of a disaster, there is a critical need for emergency housing. In this instance, people impacted by the disaster, including relief workers, have the ability to submit their request for housing to Airbnb. After verification, they may book an Open Homes listing directly for themselves.

To be eligible for emergency housing, guests must reside in the impacted area or be a relief worker responding in an official capacity. Both permanent residents and travelers with a confirmed hotel or rental reservation are eligible. Guests are required to provide proof of address or confirmation of employment during the application process. Once they submit their application, their information will be reviewed by Airbnb or its vendors before they can book.

Learn more about Disaster relief stays.

Medical stays

Every day, people travel far from home for medical treatment. They may be receiving care, supporting a patient, or healing with family during a difficult time. In this instance, guests can book an Open Homes reservation directly for themselves, or a staff member from a nonprofit organization may book the reservation on their behalf.

In order to book, guests must be referred by a nonprofit partner. Each nonprofit has their own set of eligibility criteria for guests.

Learn more about Medical stays.

Refugee housing

There are many barriers for people who are trying to rebuild their lives in a new place. Before settling into permanent housing, refugees and asylum-seekers need to finalize paperwork, search for jobs, and find a temporary place to stay. In this instance, a staff member from a nonprofit will book an Open Homes reservation on behalf of the guest. All guests have the legal status of a recognized refugee entitled to international protection as determined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and/or have begun the process of seeking asylum in the country where they currently reside.

Learn more about Refugee housing.

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How do I book an Open Homes stay?

Open Homes provides free places to stay for people in times of need. In order to book an Open Homes stay as a guest, you must meet eligibility requirements and be approved.

Applying for a stay

Disaster relief

If you've been impacted by a disaster and are in need of emergency housing, go to our Disaster Relief page to find events that qualify for an Open Homes stay. If you can't ind the event that you've been impacted by, free stays are not currently available.

Once you find an event, log into or create an Airbnb account to confirm your address. You’ll need to answer a few questions and agree to our Community Standards and the Airbnb Terms of Service.

After you submit your request, we may call you to check on additional details. If we can’t verify your information or it doesn’t meet our eligibility criteria, you’ll receive an email within 24 hours.

Medical stays or refugee housing

To be approved for a Medical stay or Refugee housing, you must be referred by a nonprofit partner. It isn't possible to apply for an Open Homes Medical stay or Refugee housing as an individual at this time. 

Learn more about the nonprofits that we partner with on the Open Homes page.

Booking a stay

If you’re approved, you'll receive an email inviting you to browse available stays. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Read all of the information in the email invitation. It will tell you more about what kind of stay you can book.
  • You may need to book your stay within certain dates. Make sure to refer to your email invitation for this information.
  • Check the listing details, like number of bedrooms and amenities, as well as the photos to confirm a place is a good fit. If you have any questions, reach out to the host by clicking or tapping Contact host on the listing page.
  • Make sure your stay is booked for the purpose defined by each program. If a stay doesn’t meet the program requirements, it'll be canceled according to the host’s cancellation policy.

    ,
    How do I prepare for Open Homes guests?

    Whether you signed up to host for free on Open Homes or have received an Open Homes booking request, here are a few things to keep in mind to help you prepare for your guests:

    • Communicate clearly
    • Try to learn about their needs and how you can help make their stay more comfortable
    • Unlike regular guests on Airbnb, Open Homes guests are often traveling due to unexpected and difficult circumstances. Remember that everyone responds differently and has different needs
    • Make sure you’re accessible to your guests and easy to communicate with
    • Explain the check-out time and process to your guests beforehand. Include your expectations about cleaning the listing, if any

    Hosting an Open Homes stay can be different across programs. Many guests referred by a nonprofit will have the support of a staff member throughout. You can learn more on our dedicated sites:

    Learn more about Airbnb’s hosting standards.

    How do I contact support for Open Homes?

    A dedicated support team is available to all hosts, guests and nonprofit partners for issues and questions related to Open Homes reservations 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm Pacific Standard Time. Contact us by emailing openhomessupport@airbnb.com. Airbnb’s community support specialists are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    What to do if you feel unsafe during a stay

    If you encounter an emergency situation, or if your personal safety is threatened during a stay, contact local police or emergency services immediately.

    If you need help from Airbnb with a safety concern, contact our Trust and Safety team.

    Before the start of the stay, you can also read our safety tips.

    Join a community that wants to give back in a new, more personal way.

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    Find answers in our Help Center or contact us.
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