Airbnb Offers Free Housing to LA Wildfire Victims

Airbnb says it’s offering Free temporary accommodation To residents of the Los Angeles area currently affected by wildfires in Southern California. The company has partnered with 211 LA, a non-profit telephone line that provides local information services in multiple languages. Right now, Airbnb says it’s focusing on helping residents in the Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Sylmar areas. Companies can extend support to other areas, and encourage locals Keep an eye on its blog for updates.

Airbnb will work with 211 LA to identify residents in need of temporary housing and connect them with housing provided through Airbnb.org, the company’s nonprofit arm that provides free lodging through funding from companies and hosts who leave their homes during disaster situations. gives . The agency said more than 1.6 million emergency nights of lodging have been provided to an estimated 250,000 people.

The home-sharing platform received some criticism on Twitter/X when a user posted that Airbnb was Refused to rebook him In new habitats further away from wildfires. The company reported to Gizmodo that the woman made her booking on the afternoon of January 7, after the fire had already started, which is why it initially refused to issue a refund. Airbnb has since remedied the situation as a goodwill gesture.

Other guests who had ongoing reservations in the affected area of ​​Southern California are eligible to end their trip early under Airbnb’s Major Disruptive Event Policy and will receive a fund for the remaining nights of their stay. If their stay has not yet started, users can cancel for a full refund. Hosts may cancel stays in affected areas without consequence.

Thanks Airbnb pic.twitter.com/4BeL26L8Yj

— Ana Mostarac (@anammostarac) January 8, 2025

Until now, at least Two fatalities At least 1,000 structures have been reported and destroyed as three major wildfires continue to burn across the Los Angeles area. Videos on social media depict a scene of devastation in the affluent areas, including the Pacific Palisade in ruins.

This is crazy. Pacific Palisades looks like a war zone. Thousands of acres of land were destroyed in a single day. Hope the fire can be brought under control soon pic.twitter.com/1PnZOqnxCk

— Liquidity (@litcapital) January 8, 2025