HURRICANES HELENE & MILTON
Help impacted communities
100% of your donation will be matched by Airbnb until Nov 1.
Hurricane Helene caused devastation throughout the Southeastern US. Now, Hurricane Milton is projected to hit Florida this week.Airbnb.org is providing free, emergency housing to people who have been displaced by the storms, volunteers, and first responders. If you are in need of support, find more information here.
Provide a place to stay
If you’re located near an impacted area and your place is habitable, we’re looking for places for survivors and first responders. You can provide a place to stay at a discount through Airbnb.org.
How hosting works
- You’ll provide a comfortable bed and basic amenities for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Airbnb.org helps cover the cost so guests stay for free.
- Airbnb.org partners with government organizations and nonprofits that check guests for eligibility and assist them before, during, and after.
- Airbnb waives all service fees for Airbnb.org stays. As always, Airbnb provides Hosts with AirCover.
100% of your donation goes toward providing emergency housing.
Stays are completely free for guests. Airbnb.org covers the cost and waives all fees.
We are here to support your community.
FAQ
How do I access an Airbnb.org emergency stay?
Currently, Airbnb.org doesn’t accept applications for people seeking emergency assistance. Airbnb.org works with governmental entities and nonprofit partners to help determine eligibility. Call 211 for support. Learn more
Who can book a place through Airbnb.org?
People who have been affected by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton may be eligible to book an emergency stay through Airbnb.org—that includes people displaced by the storms and relief workers helping in an official capacity. Airbnb.org works with governmental entities and nonprofit partners to help determine eligibility. Learn more
Can I offer my home for full price on Airbnb for guests, and also offer it for free or a discount during emergencies through Airbnb.org?
Yes. You have one calendar, so guests won’t be able to double-book your space.
How will I know that the booking came from Airbnb.org?
Hosts are notified during the booking process when a reservation request is for an emergency stay through Airbnb.org.
What happens when a guest’s stay ends?
Airbnb.org guests are responsible for checking out at the agreed-upon time according to the reservation record. In the event of a missed checkout, Airbnb has a dedicated team of specialized support agents who will work with the guest to facilitate checkout.
I’m not an Airbnb host, but I want to offer my home following natural disasters. What should I do?
You can sign up to host exclusively through Airbnb.org, which means you’ll only host guests in need of emergency stays and you will offer your place for free. Your place will not be available for guests to book non-emergency stays.
Are cancellations due to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton covered under the Major Disruptive Events Policy?
Reservations at your listing may qualify for cancellation under the Major Disruptive Events Policy. Qualifying events include a large-scale outage of essential utilities in your area, or a mandatory government restriction on travel, such as an evacuation, curfew, or shelter in place order. When the policy applies, guests can cancel for a full refund, and hosts can cancel without fees or other adverse consequences. Your listing’s calendar will be blocked for the dates of any reservations that you cancel.
How does the Major Disruptive Events Policy work?
You can learn more about the Major Disruptive Events policy here. When a reservation qualifies:
- Hosts can cancel a reservation without fees or other adverse consequences. Your listing’s calendar will be blocked for the dates you cancel.
- Guests can cancel a reservation and receive a refund regardless of your cancellation policy. Your listing’s calendar will remain open if the reservation is canceled by the guest.
- You do not receive a payout when a reservation is canceled by you or your guest.
- You or your guest can cancel the reservation even if the guest has already checked in. The guest will receive a refund and you won’t receive a payout for the remaining nights.
What can I do if I’ve been impacted by the storms and can’t host right now?
We know recovery efforts take time and circumstances can vary greatly. Here are some things you can do if you or your listing has been impacted by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton:
- Cancel reservations without fees or other adverse consequences for valid reasons, including major damage to your listing or a Major Disruptive Event.
- Turn off Instant Book so guests must send you a message to request a booking. This helps ensure you don’t get any new reservations until you’re online and ready to host again. You can turn Instant Book back on whenever you’d like.
- Block your calendar or unlist your place for specific dates if you can’t accept bookings for a while.
Does guest travel insurance cover cancellations due to hurricanes?
Airbnb guests who live in the United States and purchased travel insurance for their reservation prior to the start of their trip, and prior to the naming of the hurricane, may qualify for reimbursement for their Airbnb stay or other expenses. For example, in the event Airbnb guests need to leave early to evacuate, travel insurance may cover expenses up to 150% of the total Airbnb reservation. Qualifying events can include flight delays or cancellations due to hurricanes and other trip interruptions due to mandatory evacuations. Learn more