Airbnb has created a nonprofit aimed at helping emergency response workers find lodging in times of crisis, like now with the pandemic.
The new Airbnb.org was announced Monday as a partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) to support housing for workers and volunteers fighting the Covid-19 crisis and other kinds of emergencies.
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“Founding and supporting Airbnb.org allows us to double down on our efforts to help communities in need across the world in coordination with our partners,” said Joe Gebbia, a co-founder of Airbnb and chairman of Airbnb.org.
Airbnb.org’s initial commitments include $2 million to support the efforts. Over the next two years, Airbnb.org will commit $1 million to cover stays for staff and volunteers supporting communities worldwide hit by humanitarian disasters.
CORE will utilize Airbnb.org’s $1 million contribution to fund stays for frontline workers administering free Covid-19 tests, conducting contact tracing, providing flu shots and coordinating quarantine support in 10 cities across the US, according to a statement.
Airbnb has pledged 400,000 of its shares to support the effort ahead of the home-sharing platform’s initial public offering.
Airbnb co-founders Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nate Blecharczyk are committing $6 million to the program
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Airbnb.org will allow hosts on Airbnb to provide free and discounted stays to people impacted by emergencies, including natural disasters and the pandemic.
Hosts who support the program will receive a special badge on their profile to recognize their support.
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