Free Airbnb accommodation for Hurricane Helene victims: how to get it
In an effort to provide housing solutions for victims of Hurricane Helene, Airbnb is offering free accommodation. Find out how you can get it.
Category 4 Hurricane Helene left severe damage in the southeastern United States. More than 200 people have lost their lives, while millions more suffered damage to their homes. According to various insurance companies, losses are estimated to be between $15 and more than $100 billion.
As cleanup and recovery operations continue from Florida to Virginia, more and more organizations are stepping up to help hurricane victims. One such example is Airbnb.org, a nonprofit that is providing free housing solutions for people displaced from their homes by Hurricane Helene.
“Stays are completely free for guests and are funded by Airbnb.org and the generosity of Airbnb hosts — many of whom offer their home for free or at a discount through Airbnb.org,” the organization explained in a press release.
You may also be interested in: How to help victims of Hurricane Helene: list of organizations and funds where you can donate
How to get free accommodation on Airbnb if you were a victim of the hurricane?
Currently, this initiative is only available to victims in Florida and North Carolina, which were among the states hardest hit by the tropical cyclone. If you or someone you know needs shelter, please call the following numbers:
- Victims in Florida: (863) 688-5563 or (800) 282-8011. You can also call your local 211, listed on 211.org, depending on your location.
- Victims in North Carolina: Contact your local 211 directly, listed on 211.org, depending on your location.
According to the company’s CEO, Christoph Gorder, in recent days, Airbnb has provided free accommodation to “hundreds of people” who were victims of Helene. Typically, the free emergency stay lasts between 10 and 14 days, depending on the progress of the families’ respective recovery processes.
“We try to figure out who the most vulnerable families are and we give them flexibility to pick a location close to their kids’ schools or home or wherever they want to be,” Gorder told CBS News.
Property owners interested in joining the cause and hosting residents displaced by the hurricane can register through the official Airbnb website.