Airbnb offers free housing to those affected by the US ban

[Lizzie]

Hello everyone,

Many of you have read in the news about the recent limits enforced on immigration into the US. It is not my intention to start a political discussion here, however I wanted to let you all know that Airbnb is working with partners around the world and has set up a tool to help provide free housing to refugees and anyone recently barred from entering the US. If you would like to read more about Brian Chesky's announcement, see here.

If you would like to help and offer support, here is how you can: Volunteer My Home

An excellent Community Center guide has just been created on how to volunteer your home, do take a look here for more guidance. 

Thanks so much to you all. 

Lizzie

[Helen3]

I am so pleased that BNB have decided to take a stance on this and use it's high profile to help those stranded through no fault of their own.

BNB is a global company, regardless of whether it was started in the US. And Trump's actions have had a global impact.

I am sorry to hear that there are people who are so uncomfortable about this - both hosts and visitors.

What does annoy me - as happens when there is a natural disaster is that BNB claims the credit for providing a home for those affected.

They should make it clear that it is the hosts that are choosing to do this and carrying the financial impact - not AirBNB.

Yes hosts can and do choose to host other groups free of charge. For example I provide emergency accommodation for young homeless people.

To those saying why don't we provide free accommodation for veterans etc...I would say go ahead - whether you are a AirBNB host or otherwise there is nothing to stop you opening up your home to vulnerable groups if this is something you feel passionately about.

[Lizzie]

Hello everyone,

Thanks so much for your responses here.

I have some additional information around how this is all working, which I thought might address some of your questions and in general provide you with more of a background.

Our priority is to make sure that those people who are affected by this ban and are temporarily stranded, have a home to stay in. Therefore, this will either be with a host who would like to help and has offered their home for free or with a host that Airbnb subsidizes.

We then personally match the guest with the host to make sure it is the right fit for both parties and then the booking is completed on the platform. Of course though, if there is a need in your area, Airbnb will go through all the steps with you. In such cases, the reservation fees will also be waived. 

I hope this helps to provide you with a little more information around this.  

Thanks,

Lizzie

[David126]

Having looked at the recent coverage probably a storm in a tea cup, seems the number effected is very small and the number requiring housing would be a handful. And no doubt not in areas where AirBnB is well represented.

[Gina32]

I'm in Australia and not directly affected by this Kind offer of Airbnb to offer FREE accommodation. BUT I will say this...I bet Airbnb is not offering any accommodation for free at all. I bet they are encouraging poor hosts to get on the band wagon to make Airbnb look like careing corporate citizens.

Beware, as with all these issues, very needy people come from no where when there is something for free. Call me cynical, that's my middle name, but I have seen this first hand in Australia.

[Tracy0]

I'm sure the stranded green card holders appreciate yet more cynicism filling their evening before getting an onward flight so they can get home and drive their Volvo to work! And for what it's worth, we have a lovely Syrian man who resettled near me and is the most appreciative person. He has no idea where his wife is, has two small children with him, and the community has come out to welcome and help him make a home.  It's unfortunate that this kind of cynicism over acts by a few have tainted people's views of all of them.

[Gina32]

@Tracy0 I understand your sentiments and there are genuine people all over the world needing some assistance and it is nice of your community to assist the gentleman you mention.

I personally have assisted a person during the past 2 months, on my own. with no recognition from anyone, and I'm not asking for any. Housed him for a considerably reduced rate, given him friendship and help he had never experienced in his 40 yr life, and encouraged him into rehab. I am just saying we should all beware and maybe, personally assess the needs of others before jumping onto the band wagon. All is not what is seems. Perhaps I am saying no need to be a sheep, or be encouraged to be a sheep. I shall give you one further example; during the Christmas period our community offers free lunch, you will not believe the number of well heeled people who turn up for the Christmas lunch and the food hamper handouts. But that is charity it does not discriminate. I just prefer to help those I know who are really in genuine need of kindness. All the best to you all who go along with the offer encouraged by Airbnb, this is very much a USA political issue despite what Lizzie says.

[Helen3]

Hi @Gina32

It sounds like it must be very different in Australia than in the UK when it comes to charities - they do indeed discriminate in order to ensure help goes to those in most need.

People need to show they are in receipt of benefits/low waged in order to use our food banks, Christmas lunches and other services designed to support those on a low income.

[Helen3]

Hi @Tracy0

I am so glad to hear you new Syrian neighbour has been welcomed into his community.

Unfortunately in some other parts of the UK and elsewhere, refugees aren't always welcomed into communities and can suffer from abuse.

[Leslie83]

@Lizzie

Hi there! 

I wanted to ask (and I apologize if this has already been mentioned, I read several pages of comments before I decided to comment myself and didn't see it). Will airbnb be offering their insurance coverage and dispute/resolution services to hosts who offer their places up for free? I know this has been the case for incidences in the past. I ask because this is a HUGE deal! 

Yes, hosts are the ones actually offering up their places... But the insurance and resolution center are a safety net for hosts. Refugees are people and when people are involved there will be done incidents. I wouldn't suggest hosting Refugees outside of airbnb because you will be without a community and large corporation backing you in your decision to do so. Not to mention they are creating the initial connection point between hosts and those in need. That is also a service that takes time and money. Airbnb has to pay people to facilitate and monitor these connections with hosts. They are not"taking credit" for doing nothing. 

I come from a background in financial services and I understand how important and costly it is to have insurance. This is a big deal and shouldn't be treated like it doesn't exist. 

[David126]

@Leslie83

The Host Guarantee is not insurance in the conventional sense and is much more restrictive than I think you think it is.

It should apply for what it is worth.

[Anonymous]

@Leslie83,

I totally agree with @David126, it's a garantee and not an insurance. And I should advice you to look at the exclusion part, you will see it could be applied in few few circumstances. In fact it doesn't protect in most of cases. 

[Helga0]

Wow, there are some nasty comments on this thread. 

Thank you, @Lizzie for the link, which I had not found on the website after reading about it. And thank you, Airbnb, for taking the initiative.

i had offered my listing in other dire situations, but being well booked, I could only offer my recreation days and found no takers. 

Nevertheless, even if the hosts work for free in such cases, airbnb works for free too and offers their efficient logistics, which makes a difference to such situations compared with 20 years ago. 

The host guarantee makes a difference, it's quite reassuring if you think about lodging panicked persons. And yes, it works a bit differently from a normal household insurance, but it still works. I had some damage done by a stupid regular guest and it was a big help to have it. 

Airbnb is a global player and the brand image is to connect, be friendly, helpful etc. "Human" even being a multinational multibillion compagny. Not offering help in such a situation, which affects potentially 100 000 visa holders, who got their visa cancelled and not only a few persons on American airports, would also be a political statement. It would say: we support the IS president in whatever notion he takes, whatever the consequences and be damned to all people he takes exception to. 

Considering, that it is a worldwide hospitality business, that would be quite foolish. 

Desinfect after a refugee, really @Olivier? I'd simply answer that I'll spray white vinegar after them too. 

[David126]

@Helga0

My French is not good enough to read the French Media but the Anglo media suggested there are many many refugees sleeping rough in Paris?  A lot near the Gare du Nord?

[Helga0]

@David126, there are always people sleeping rough in France. There are locals having lost their pace, there are migrants, who can legally stay here but can't earn enough to rent a decent place (which would be nearly impossible to get anyway), eat and support their family and there are refugees, who fled to save their life and want to start over somewhere. Some are from countries where they were not in imminent danger (only in bad situations). 

Anyway, communities tend to flock together where it seems less hopeless, big cities, at the coadt facing England, a perceived paradise. Locals help them for a while and when it gets too much, tent cities installed, bad sanitary situation, freezing temperatures, they are picked up and brought to shelters for a while, where they need to apply for asylum and participate in measures to integrate them. Thsome do, others go away and the next tent city forms. 

But that are no situations airbnb or hosts or private people can do much. To integrate a perdon living on the street is a longterm effort. You can't lodge them in your place, feed them a few meals and expect a miracle. You would need to help them find a place, some furniture and help them with administration, apply for available gelp, check and push that the rent is paid and forms keep to be filled in and sent to their destinations. 

Job applications, manners, nice presentation etc etc. 

But that we are quite helpless in one kind of misery, does not mean, we should not try in others.  (Sorry for my spelling, the phone does not let me edit)

[David126]

@Helga0

More a response to your comment about not being able to find refugees for your accomodation, just surprised that was the case in Paris of all places.