Airbnb hosts provide more than 1,200 free stays for NHS staff

• More than 1,200 free stays have been provided by hosts on Airbnb for frontline medical staff as they carry out their vital work – equivalent to more than 13,000 nights
• NHS staff “overwhelmed by the generosity of the hosts who made their properties available”
• Airbnb waived all fees associated with the stays and provided participating hosts with £75 per free stay to help cover cleaning costs

More than 1,200 free stays have been provided by hosts on Airbnb for frontline medical staff as they carry out their vital work. The 1,200 bookings amount to more than 13,000 nights since the programme was launched in late March.

“I was really lucky to have been told about the Airbnb programme as it was just starting out. A few days before, I had found out that I would be redeployed to ICU and at the time I was staying with family, one of whom is in the government’s “extremely vulnerable” category. I was truly overwhelmed by the generosity of the hosts who made their properties available for free and I was quickly accepted by a host who had a property nearby my work.

“In the past month I have been able to work on the frontline in the ICU without the constant worry of putting my family at risk, looking after patients who had sadly become critically unwell as a result of this awful disease. I am so grateful to all of the hosts on Airbnb who have provided healthcare workers like myself with a safe place to stay during this pandemic.”

Georgina, an NHS doctor in London

Airbnb staff offered direct support to NHS hospitals and trusts to help their frontline staff book accommodation, as well as supporting staff directly. Airbnb waived all fees associated with the stays and provided participating hosts with £75 per free stay to help cover cleaning costs. The programme was wound down on July 3rd which was the last day for NHS and frontline healthcare workers with existing access to request a place to stay.

“We have witnessed inspirational acts of generosity and support for heroic NHS staff across the country. The host community on Airbnb has also been doing its part with thousands of free and convenient places to stay for NHS staff as they carry out their vital work. We offer thanks to our doctors and nurses, and gratitude to those hosts who opened their homes.”

Patrick Robinson, Director of Public Policy, at Airbnb

The initiative is a local expansion of the global Frontline Stays programme by Airbnb to help house healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders battling the coronavirus outbreak around the world. More than 200,000 places to stay have been offered worldwide since the launch of the programme, with frontline workers booking more than 100,000 nights in accommodation.

“We feel privileged to play a part in the programme which enabled us to offer free accommodation to an ICU nurse working at Maidstone Hospital. She has been unable to return home to her partner who is self isolating after major surgery, and being parted from him while working long shifts must take an incredible toll, both emotionally and physically. We feel proud to be able to help this truly dedicated young woman in this small way.”

Doug, a host on Airbnb in Kent