AirBnb Commits Empty Los Angeles Listings for Emergency Housing Within 24 Hours of Future Disasters

Los Angeles County formalized an emergency housing program in partnership with the nonprofit Airbnb.org, which began as a pilot program in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires.

According to an article in Pasadena Now, the program is backed by $100,000 in housing credits and mobilizes available short-term rental listings to house displaced residents within 24 hours of a disaster. “The formalized pact builds on the massive relief effort seen during the January wildfires, which ravaged communities in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. During that crisis, the collaboration between the two nonprofits provided shelter for nearly 24,000 people, along with 1,000 first responders and 2,800 pets, according to the partnership announcement.” 

The memorandum of understanding notes that 211 LA will lead the vetting process, and Airbnb.org will manage the inventory of homes and fund the stays. According to Maribel Marin, executive director of 211 LA, “By formalizing this partnership, we’re ensuring that our community can access practical, responsive support even faster during future emergencies.”