Airbnb. (Illustration) — XAVIER VILA / SIPA
Airbnb is launching a new non-profit organization to provide shelter for people in emergency situations. Airbnb.org will bring together two programs previously known asOpen Home and Frontline Stay, reports Engadget relayed by 01net.
In a statement, Airbnb says the organization will focus on “emergency response.” The objective will be to provide housing “to evacuees, aid workers, refugees, asylum seekers and […] to front-line workers fighting against the spread of Covid-19 ”.
Today we launch https://t.co/Tjnl0xc7eO. An independent nonprofit inspired by the actions of a single host and the generosity of thousands of others who have opened their doors to people when they need it most. Join us at https://t.co/Tjnl0xc7eO. pic.twitter.com/DbKmngDuTY
– Joe Gebbia (@jgebbia) December 7, 2020
A badge for the 100,000 volunteer guests
The platform relies on the voluntarism of its users: 100,000 people had already opened their homes to tenants in need in the past. Hosts who volunteer to join Airbnb.org will receive a specific badge, visible on their profile.
Airbnb.org will work in partnership with various NGOs such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE). The co-founders of Airbnb will for their part donate six million dollars to the NGO.
Airbnb.org has already planned to support IFRC staff and volunteers with a $ 1 million payment. Another million will be devoted to CORE to finance the stays of workers affected by the coronavirus.