Airbnb Offers Free Accommodation for Wildfire Evacuees
As wildfires in the Los Angeles area continue to spread and force people from their homes, various shelter options have opened up offering free or discounted accommodations for evacuees, including Airbnb. Through a partnership with 211 LA, Airbnb.org (the non-profit arm of the short-term rental platform) is helping provide temporary housing for displaced people.
Additionally, those who manage or plan to stay at Airbnbs in the Los Angeles area will receive a reprieve from cancellation fees and fines under the platform’s Major Disruptive Event Policy : Hosts can cancel reservations without consequences, and guests are entitled to full a refund if their trip has not yet started (or a partial refund for unused nights if it has started). VRBO has activated a similar policy for hosts and guests on its platform.
How to Organize a Free Stay on Airbnb
To apply for temporary housing support from Airbnb.org, residents of affected areas must complete an intake form through 211 LA. Those who have lost their homes or been forced to evacuate the Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Sylmar areas are eligible . To request assistance, you must have an Airbnb account or be able to create one. Hosts can also sign up to offer free or discounted accommodations to disaster victims.
If accommodations are unavailable or you are looking for an alternative to a shelter, many hotels in the area offer discounts for evacuees. Discover Los Angeles offers a list of hotels , and Travel + Leisure has rounded up hotels and resorts throughout California and Nevada that offer reduced rates, waived fees, or allow pets (see list and article comments).
For those needing transportation to the shelter, Uber is offering free rides worth up to $40 (code: WILDFIRE25) and Lyft is offering two rides worth up to $25 each (code: CAFIRERELIEF25). Planet Fitness locations in Los Angeles are open to residents and first responders who need showers and Wi-Fi access.
If you are displaced and have to pay for housing and food, save your receipts and send them to your homeowners insurance company , as you may be entitled to reimbursement for these expenses.
Finally, Mutual Aid LA has a list of resources for people displaced or in need of support, including animal shelters and public shelters.