Hurricane Dorian

[Todd236]

I am a big fan of air bnb encouraging us to open up our space for rescue workers, evacuated families and those in need. This week with Hurricane Dorian we hosted a couple from Charleston, SC for three nights and today they head home to get back to life. I am attaching the note they left which was very kind and made me glad to be a part of air bnb!

happy weekend everyone,

Todd

[Todd236]

[Helen427]

Good on you @Todd236 for opening your home to those impacted on by Dorian.

It's little things like your kindness in times of need that remind us we are all here for a very good reason.

Thinking of you all wherever you are where you face challenging times with the weather and may you all have a speedy recovery.

All the best from here in New Zealand, South Pacific

[Lizzie]

This is such a touching post, thank you so much for sharing @Todd236. I just can't imagine having to leave  your home and all your possessions behind–but the most important thing is to be safe and sound. Thank you for being an amazing host.

For anyone else interested in hearing more about Open Homes and Disaster Relief, take a look here. 

Thank you again,

Lizzie

[Jon447]

Hi Todd,  I have never hosted before, but am opening my house for Bahamas evacuees.  I got a request, the profile is minimal (1 line), so I will be rejecting them; however, I cannot find how to reject or accept the request.  I have been all over the site.  Can you help me with this?  Thank you, Jon

[Ange2]

@Jon447   

I have no idea where the decline/accept would be on the "openhomes" page. @Todd236 

Did you try accessing it on your computer (recommended browser is chrome, I use firefox)  the app can be very glitchy.

You could also ask the guest to upload an ID and other verifications and a photo of themselves (which you will only see after the booking is confirmed). Many new guests have no idea about how to fill in a profile. Also change your parameters to only accept people with ID.

Have you tried this  email?  openhomessupport@airbnb.com. 

Here is a phone number

United States and Canada

+1-415-800-5959 +1-855-424-7262 (toll-free)

Here is an post of the many ways to contact airbnb, Twitter appears to have the  fastest response rate. https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help/Contact-Airbnb-A-Community-Help-Guide-UPDATED/m-p/413245

https://www.airbnb.com/openhomes/disaster-relief    btw: Airbnb article says:

"To book a free Open Homes listing offered by our host community, you will need to have a verified Airbnb account. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up here: https://www.airbnb.com/signup_login."  Open Homes Disaster Response and Relief hosts might want to have a bit more information about their guests. If it’s your first time booking on Airbnb and you do not have any reviews on your profile, you can add more information about yourself in your profile description or ask your friends who have an Airbnb account to write you a reference."

Good luck!

[Helen427]

hi @Jon447 
That's really sad to read you don't wish to host a person who has only written 1 line on their profile who is an evacuee in the Bahamas.

Have you considered that maybe the person making the booking is with limited internet and electricity?

Based on the balance of  probabilities & the circumstances of this disaster that person may well not have the means to write more than that.

Sometimes we have to look at how life really must be for those who are displaced.

Maybe you could reconsider your stance & stand in the feet of those who you have seen homeless  in the media and what the people of the Bahamas are currently without.

As a member of Airbnb we all sign up not to discriminate against people, one would hope such a small thing in such times  of need and compassion is overlooked and your door is open to welcome them with an open mind.

All the best

[Jon447]

Hi Helen,

This person has now contacted me 3 times, so it seems they have connectivity.  Each time the story changes.  At first it was 2 young boys, then 2 adults.  When I responded I wanted to host a family, it became a family (no ages, no genders).    By the way, the 1 line said his name, that's all.  Since I am inviting strangers to share my home at no cost, I need to feel comfortable with this person, some background information in the profile is not too much to ask.  Having hosted couchsurfers and house sitters from all over the world, also, a good profile is the number one item I look for.

[Helen427]

hi @Jon447 

I think you may find stories will change as circumstances and stress levels along with confusion hits people in times of stress.

Maybe they are trying to sort out their options what to do, if they stay together as a family etc,maybe even if someone stays behind to help clean up or do work there.

Connectivity can come & go in phases, it will all depend on electricity supply - including if they are near a place to recharge devices. Electricity can go on and off during repairs etc.

Perhaps reach out & ask questions what they are going through mentally/ emotionally.

Ask for more details about their situation to clarify or see if you can better help them in a positive way.

Have a read through other Open Home natural disaster situations using keywords here in CC searchbox to see feedback and most importantly learn from those who have been through things in the past & how they addressed random strangers in distressed & displaced states how they went through it.

I can appreciate the fact you are opening your home for the 1st time as an ABB Host which is very admirable & understandably cautious - many go through those motions when starting out.

There's many unknowns in life and none of us know what may be going through the minds of those undergoing displacement for whatever reason.

[Mark116]

Or maybe they are scammers, as other threads on 'open house' indicate that other scammers have taken advantage of hosts' generosity in this program.

[Jon447]

I chatted on the site to a specialist.  Here is my request: I am opening my home to Bahamas evacuees. I have never hosted before. I got a request, but I cannot find out how to accept or decline it. I have looked all over your website, please help. Thanks, Jon

Here is the response:  Jon, unfortunately I'm unable to resolve your case so I'm forwarding you to a team that can better assist you. While response times may vary, we do our best to respond within 24 hours. Thank you for your patience.

How is this even possible?

[Ange2]

@Jon447   

P.S.  when you want to respond to a particular person type in the @  sign and choose their handle from the drop down list they will then receive a  notification.   For Todd it is  @Todd236   for Lizzie the site administrator it is @Lizzie 

[Debbie100]

@Jon447 they're just awful.  And how come they don't help us shoulder the risk of opening our doors to people with no information by increasing insurance AND liberally governing claims rather than screwing over hosts?  I'm getting bombarded with requests.  No information on profiles.  No guarantee it won't be 12 people in a 4 person house.  How can we possibly accept these?  It's just too risky.  Gotta love corporate America ... they need to do the right thing so we can.

[Kira32]

Such a  beautiful letter and such a beautiful thing you guys did @Todd236 💪

[Tamera7]

We opened our house to Irma last year and had the worst hosting experience ever - real grifters, taking advantage of us and our house manager. There should be some screening as there are opportunists out there as we found out the hard way...