https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/10/17446442/airbnb-open-homes-program-pilot-project-san-jose-california-disaster-readiness

Last year, Airbnb unveiled a program called Open Homes, designed to allow Airbnb hosts to provide emergency housing after a disaster. Homeowners can allow refugees or evacuees to find housing on a short notice — for free. The company is now expanding that program (via Techcrunch) with a pilot project that will allow hosts to list their properties ahead of a disaster.

The idea is to streamline the response to a disaster by allowing hosts to sign up in advance, so that when a disaster does strike, those in need don’t necessarily have to wait for said hosts to come forward in the aftermath. Presently, the program matches up users willing to donate space with emergency managers, who can then connect people who need housing with available space.