Airbnb.org and 211 LA announce disaster response partnership

Airbnb.org, a nonprofit founded by Airbnb to provide emergency housing in times of crisis, and 211 LA, a nonprofit serving as LA County’s 24/7 non-emergency information and referral service provider, are announcing a formal partnership to accelerate access to temporary housing for people displaced by disasters across Los Angeles County. The agreement is designed to mobilize housing support within 24 hours of a disaster, helping close temporary housing gaps that often emerge in the immediate aftermath of a crisis. 

The partnership is anchored by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that clarifies roles, strengthens coordination, and enables faster activation during the most critical early days of a disaster response. Under the agreement, 211 LA will lead countywide identification of people with emergency housing needs and coordination with local responders, while Airbnb.org will support these efforts by providing free, emergency housing. Additionally, Airbnb.org is committing $100,000 in housing credits to enable 211 LA to provide free, emergency housing throughout 2026. 

This agreement builds on more than a year of joint efforts in Los Angeles County, including a response launched within 24 hours of the start of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires in January 2025. To date, 211 LA and Airbnb.org have helped provide free emergency housing for nearly 24,000 people impacted by the wildfires, including over 1,000 first responders and 2,800 pets.

Airbnb.org leverages the Airbnb platform to connect people who need a place to stay with Airbnb listings, enabling guests to book homes that meet their needs, including kitchens, laundry rooms, and pet-friendly spaces. During the Los Angeles wildfires, one in three Airbnb.org bookings hosted a family of four or more people, and 25 percent included a pet. All stays are offered at no cost to guests and funded by Airbnb.org. 

During the wildfires, Airbnb.org’s flexible, family-friendly housing options made a real difference for displaced families, children, and even pets. By formalizing this partnership, we’re ensuring that our community can access practical, responsive support even faster during future emergencies.

Maribel Marin, Executive Director of 211 LA

Families deserve stability in the hardest moments of their lives. Partnering with 211 LA allows us to mobilize quickly, work hand-in-hand with local responders, and help give more people a free, comfortable place to stay when they need it most.

Christoph Gorder, Executive Director of Airbnb.org

When disaster strikes, you don’t get a second chance to be ready. Families need safe housing immediately. I appreciate 211 LA and Airbnb.org for partnering to mobilize temporary housing quickly and keep families together. This is the kind of practical preparedness Los Angeles needs.

Councilwoman Traci Park, Los Angeles City Council

The MOU reinforces a shared commitment to faster, more coordinated disaster response across Los Angeles County and helping families access temporary housing more quickly when emergencies occur.