Open Homes · Disaster Relief
Host people in need of emergency housing
Offer free, temporary housing to people who need a place to call home.
Helping neighbors after an earthquake:
Helping neighbors after an earthquake:
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
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
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.
A home to help
Entire home
A home to help
3 guests
Studio
2 beds
1 bath
A home to help
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.
Hi Marie,
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.
Hi Marie,
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.
A host getting ready
A host getting ready
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.
Partner clients
Partner clients
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.
Partner clients
Partner clients
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

Your role is to provide guests with a welcoming space and help answer any questions that come up.
  • A spare room or apartment
  • A comfortable bed
  • Basic amenities and toiletries
  • Availability for 2 or more days in a row

What you need to host

Your role is to provide guests with a welcoming space and help answer any questions that come up.
  • A spare room 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

How does Open Homes work for evacuees and relief workers?

When disasters occur, Airbnb assesses the situation to determine how best to support an impacted community. In some cases this means activating Open Homes for evacuees and relief workers.

In this instance, evacuees and relief workers have the ability to search for and book an Open Homes listing directly for themselves. Please visit the Open Homes Disaster Relief and Response page to see our current active responses. It is only possible to book Open Homes accommodation within the area and time period defined on this page.

To book a free Open Homes listing offered by our host community, you will need to have a verified Airbnb account. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up here: https://www.airbnb.com/signup_login.

Open Homes has also partnered with a number of vetted nonprofit and government agencies that are specialized in disaster response. Bookers from these organizations may make reservations on behalf of their staff during or after a disaster. These reservations are made in line with Airbnb’s Terms of Service, including the Host Guarantee.

How can I sign up my listing to host evacuees and relief workers?

If you are interested in hosting evacuees and relief workers for free following a disaster through the Open Homes platform, then you can Sign Up your listing.

At present, Open Homes is focused on supporting the following groups:

  • People displaced due to a natural disaster and relief workers deployed to respond to a disaster
  • Refugees and asylum seekers
  • Medical patients and caregivers traveling for treatment or who require a respite stay

When you sign up for Open Homes, you can choose whether you would like to sign up to host one, two, or all of the above mentioned groups.

You can choose whether to sign up an existing Airbnb listing or create a new listing just for Open Homes. If you choose to sign up an existing listing, you will manage your paid Airbnb as well as Open Homes stays from the same calendar.

Potential guests may have questions regarding the suitability of your listing. Individuals will reach out before a stay via the message thread and ask if necessary. You can help answer common questions by adjusting your listing when you sign up to Open Homes (including a description or pictures that would show if the space is comfortable for a stay during a disaster - beds with linens, bathroom with toilet paper, etc.) as well as writing a detailed description of yourself in your profile.

Can I use Open Homes during or after a disaster as a guest?

If you are an evacuee or first responder to a disaster where Open Homes has been activated, you can book free short term accommodation offered by our host community. You can search for a place to stay by visiting the Open Homes Disaster Relief and Response page, where you can see our current active responses.

To book a free listing, you will need to have a verified Airbnb account. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up here: https://www.airbnb.com/signup_login. Please note that when Open Homes is activated following a disaster, it is for a limited duration and within a designated area only.

Open Homes Disaster Response and Relief hosts might want to have a bit more information about their guests. If it’s your first time booking on Airbnb and you do not have any reviews on your profile, you can add more information about yourself in your profile description or ask your friends who have an Airbnb account to write you a reference.

What organizations partner with Open Homes for disaster response?

Open Homes has partnered with a number of vetted nonprofit and government agencies that are specialized in disaster response. For more information about Open Homes partnerships, please contact our support team at openhomessupport@airbnb.com.

How do I know my guest is an evacuee or relief worker?

As a host you can communicate with a guest via Airbnb’s messaging function prior to accepting their reservation. You can also review a guest’s history on Airbnb by checking out their profile page and reading reviews from past hosts. In the instance of a first time guest, you can use the message thread to learn more about them and make sure that your place would be suitable for their stay.

All guests booking a reservation on Airbnb are asked to provide their full name, date of birth, photo, phone number, email address, and payment information to Airbnb before booking. Home hosts also have the option to require guests to provide Airbnb with a government ID before booking their listing. While no screening system is perfect, globally we run hosts and guests against regulatory, terrorist, and sanctions watchlists.

Airbnb is a platform built on trust. If you have any concerns, please reach out to the Open Homes support team directly at openhomessupport@airbnb.com.

What support is available to me as a host?

A dedicated Airbnb support team is available exclusively to both hosts and guests with issues or questions regarding Open Homes reservations. Open Homes support specialists are available Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm Eastern Standard Time and 9am-6pm Greenwich Mean Time. Email us at openhomessupport@airbnb.com for help.

If you require urgent support outside of the dedicated Open Homes support team’s hours, Airbnb’s community support specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all guests and hosts. You can contact them by following this link.

For support not related to an Open Homes reservation, search the Help Center for answers to many common questions.

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

Have questions?
Find answers in our Help Center or send us a note at openhomessupport@airbnb.com.
Visit the Help Center