Hosts open their homes to residents displaced by bushfires in NSW and VIC

Airbnb listings available to impacted residents and disaster relief workers, with both current hosts and other residents able to opt in to offer free accommodation

NSW and Victorian residents impacted by the ongoing bushfire crisis can seek free temporary housing via listings being provided as part of Airbnb’s Open Homes Program. 

The Program allows hosts who are willing and able to offer up housing to displaced residents, as well as emergency service personnel deployed to assist with the fires.

Airbnb hosts and any other residents have the ability to opt into listing their homes, offering much needed accommodation, free of charge, by visiting www.airbnb.com/nswbushfires20 (NSW) or www.airbnb.com/victoriabushfires20 (Victoria).

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, encouraged those living near affected areas to open their doors to residents and emergency workers impacted by the ongoing fires.

“Our thoughts are with these regional communities during this incredibly challenging and devastating time, as well as with those working selflessly and tirelessly to contain the blazes,” she said.

“Airbnb’s Open Homes Program helps connect both residents in need of housing and emergency workers with free temporary accommodation.

“We are very grateful to those hosts who have already opened their homes to provide free housing and we encourage others who live near affected areas to consider doing the same, if they are in a position to assist.”

The Open Homes Program is currently available to 17 January 2020 in NSW and Victoria.