Providing homes in a time of need: How Airbnb is housing Afghan refugees and how you can help

In response to the ​ displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees, Airbnb is encouraging its hosts and anyone with available space to sign up to provide free or discounted stays.

Airbnb.org, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has a history of dedicating itself to facilitating temporary stays for people in crisis. In recent years, it has helped to shelter those displaced by natural disasters and offered hundreds of thousands of places for frontline workers to stay at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Aug. 24, Airbnb.org and Airbnb announced they would offer free, temporary housing to 20,000 Afghan refugees worldwide, partnering with various resettlement agencies.

The company has since launched a new site, airbnb.org/refugees, with information on how individuals across the country — including those in central Texas — can help expand efforts for emergency stays. Existing Airbnb Hosts and anyone with space can sign up on the site to provide free or discounted stays to Afghan refugees. Meanwhile, those without space availability can use the site to donate to Airbnb’s housing effort.

Individuals who choose to become refugee hosts are guaranteed dedicated community support from Airbnb — in addition to the standard Host Guarantee, which provides protection for up to $1 million in property damage.

This announcement built on previous Airbnb.org and Airbnb efforts in support of Afghan refugees. Over the past few weeks, Airbnb.org gave emergency funding and support to the International Rescue Committee, HIAS (formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) and Church World Service to provide immediate temporary stays for up to 1,000 arriving Afghan refugees. Earlier this year, Airbnb.org announced the creation of the $25 million Refugee Fund to further expand Airbnb.org’s support of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide.