Airbnb Opens Homes In OC For Evacuees Of Hill & Woolsey Fires

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Airbnb has expanded its Open Homes Program to help local displaced residents along with relief workers deployed to respond to the Hill and Woolsey fires in Southern California.

The program recruits hosts who are willing and able to provide free housing to displaced residents evacuated and disaster relief workers supporting the response and recovery of communities impacted.

“Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the fires in Southern California. We are continually humbled by our hosts’ generosity in times of disaster through our Open Homes program," Kellie Bentz, Airbnb's Head of Global Disaster Response and Relief. "For residents displaced by these wildfires and for the relief workers tirelessly responding, our Open Homes Program provides temporary accommodations free of charge.”

How can you help if you aren't a current Airbnb host? Anyone can sign up for the program, according to Airbnb.

You do not need to be an existing host through Airbnb and can just sign up for this program. The new region for the Open Homes program extends north toward San Luis Obispo, east near Bakersfield and south into Orange and San Diego counties.

The full map above shows the extent of the host involvement across the state of California.

Our goal is to ensure anyone affected and in need of temporary accommodation knows this program is an option while they are evacuated.

The Open Homes Program is currently available through November 29, 2018 and we encourage hosts in the area to consider opening their homes to those who are in need of temporary accommodations or for relief workers helping in the area.

As a public service, Airbnb is asking Northern California news outlets to share the following link:
www.airbnb.com/woolseyfire

In the event of major emergencies like this one, Airbnb's Open Homes Program connects local residents who have been displaced -- as well as emergency relief workers and volunteers who are coming in to assist -- find temporary accommodations with local Open Homes hosts who are opening their homes free of charge, they waive their fees and we waive ours.

For more information, visit the Hill and Woosley fires Airbnb page.

PHOTO: This photo from video provided by CBS2/KCAL9 shows a wildfire burning in Camarillo, CA, Thursday afternoon, Nov. 8, 2018. Known as the Hill fire, it here has crossed U.S. Highway 101, at center right, potentially threatening hundreds of homes. (CBS2/KCAL9 via AP)