For families forced to flee their homes as wildfires spread across parts of Washington State, Airbnb is offering a helping hand. Through its nonprofit arm, Airbnb.org, the company is providing free temporary accommodation to people displaced by the fires, giving them a safe place to stay while they work through the challenges of evacuation and recovery.
Working with Washington 211, a statewide support and referral service, Airbnb.org is helping affected residents access housing in communities close to their jobs, schools and support networks. The program covers several wildfire-hit counties, as well as tribal communities impacted by the ongoing emergency. The initiative comes at a time when many families are facing uncertainty and sudden displacement. By covering the cost of short-term stays, Airbnb.org hopes to ease some of the burden and provide a measure of comfort and stability for those whose lives have been disrupted by the fires. Plenty nights of emergency housing have already been provided through the effort.