MORTGAGE BLOGPosted On September 28, 2016
Sharing is caring and the app sharing economy takes this sentimental adage to an actionable level.
Recently, Boulder County, CO announced its partnership with Airbnb to provide housing access to its residents during natural disasters like floods and wildfire, that occur frequently in the region. Victims of natural disaster often face a lack of short-term housing as well as a delayed reaction when it comes to relying on federal agencies. Airbnb is bridging that gap by serving its own community through a collaborative effort to house displaced residents.
The Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services will alert Airbnb hosts of a need for housing after a disaster occurs. Subsequently, Airbnb will identify hosts who open their rentals to victims displaced by disasters at no charge. The agreement is the first of its kind in the state of Colorado.
Inspired by the generosity of 1,400 New York City hosts who opened their doors and fed residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Airbnb set out to build a disaster response program. US cities participating in the humanitarian effort include Portland and San Francisco, and international partners include Victoria, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand.
The program has already been put to the test following a recent Cold Springs Fire that caused more than 2,000 residents to evacuate their homes. More than 1,500 Airbnb hosts were alerted.
“Our hope us that we can at least let people know this is an option for them if they want help in times of disaster,” said Jim Williams of the Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services.
If you want to get some tips on joining the Airbnb network, check out our previous article: 5 Things to Consider Before Listing Your Home on Airbnb.
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