Airbnb launches new funding model to provide free emergency housing, commits $500 million to Airbnb.org
By THE STAR STAFF
Airbnb announced this week that it will begin donating a portion of revenue from every stay booked on its platform to Airbnb.org, a nonprofit organization that provides free temporary housing to people affected by disasters, medical emergencies, domestic violence and other crises.
The company said the new funding model is expected to contribute $500 million over the next five years to Airbnb.org, helping the organization provide nearly 1 million free nights of accommodation annually to people in need around the world.
The initiative marks a major expansion of Airbnb.org’s humanitarian efforts, which began more than a decade ago when an Airbnb host opened her home to people displaced by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The grassroots effort eventually evolved into Airbnb.org, which became an independent nonprofit organization in 2020.
Since its creation, Airbnb.org has provided more than 1.6 million free nights of accommodation to over 250,000 people worldwide, according to the company.
“Fourteen years ago, after Hurricane Sandy, a host opened her home to people who had nowhere else to go. That simple act of generosity became Airbnb.org,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. “Since then, we’ve helped provide more than 1.6 million free nights of accommodation to people in times of crisis. Now, every time someone books a home on Airbnb, they’ll help someone else find a place to stay when they need it most. That’s Airbnb at its very best.”
Airbnb said the new program will not result in higher costs for guests or lower earnings for hosts. Participation will be automatic, requiring no action from either group.
Under the funding model, Airbnb will donate 10 cents from its revenue for every eligible accommodation stay booked on the platform. The donation applies only to completed stays and excludes experiences, services, and reservations canceled before check-in.
The company said the increased funding comes as demand for emergency housing assistance continues to grow. Airbnb.org has provided housing assistance in response to more than 200 disasters this year, compared with just eight disasters in 2023.
Beyond disaster relief, Airbnb.org plans to broaden its mission by expanding programs that provide temporary housing to families traveling for medical treatment, survivors escaping domestic violence and exploitation, and U.S. military veterans undergoing treatment for serious illnesses.
