Airbnb helps California wildfire victims find temporary housing

Photo of author

By [email protected]


Airbnb is helping victims of the California wildfires by providing free temporary housing.

the Rental platform It said Wednesday it is collaborating with 211 LA, a longtime Los Angeles area nonprofit, in response to the ongoing fires.

Los Angeles County has been facing wildfires since Tuesday. Five of them caught fire Friday morning, including the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Kenneth Fire, Hurst Fire and Lydia Fire.

Los Angeles wildfires: More than 10,000 homes and businesses destroyed, at least 10 people killed

“Stays are completely free to guests and are funded through Airbnb.org and the generosity of Airbnb hosts – many of whom offer their homes for free or at a discounted rate through Airbnb.org,” Airbnb explained.

Airbnb

The rental platform said Wednesday that it is partnering with 211 LA, a longtime Los Angeles area nonprofit, in response to the ongoing fires. (Lorenzo Di Cola/Noor Photo via Getty Images/Getty Images)

211 LA identifies and coordinates temporary Airbnb housing in Airbnbs for eligible people, especially individuals living in Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Sylmar who “lost their homes or were forced to evacuate” due to the fire, according to the rental platform.

Eaton fire

Apartments are seen burning from the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 8, 2025. (John Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Los Angeles area residents who need temporary housing assistance via Airbnb.org must complete an intake form with 211 LA that can be accessed on the nonprofit’s website.

Business leaders’ reaction to California wildfires: ‘Heartbreaking’

To be eligible, they must be “displaced from your actual home due to recent fires,” live in an evacuation zone, have the ability to create an Airbnb account if they don’t already have one and must be at least 18 years old, according to the 211 LA website.

Officials asked nearly 130,000 people to evacuate from the fires, the Associated Press reported.

The largest of the five fires, the 20,438-acre Palisades Fire, has destroyed more than 5,000 structures, according to To Calfire. It was 6% contained as of Friday morning.

Wildfires in Southern California

Plumes of smoke are seen as a wildfire burns in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 7: Homes burn as strong winds propel the Eaton Fire on January 7, 2025 in Pasadena, California. A strong Santa Ana wind event has dramatically increased the risk of wind-driven wildfires such as the dangerous and destructive Palisades Fire near Santa Monica. Strong winds also forced President Joe Biden to cancel his plan to travel between Los Angeles and Riverside, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Homes burn as strong winds push the Eaton Fire on January 7, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (David McNew/Getty Images/Getty Images)

The Eaton Fire, which has been burning since Tuesday, like the Palisades Fire, remains 0% under control. It burned 4,000 buildings.

Wildfires in California could cost insurance companies $20 billion, the highest in the state’s history

The other three fires had varying rates of containment Friday morning, the CalFire website showed.

At least 10 people died in the fires.



https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2025/01/0/0/fire-damage-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1

Source link

Leave a Comment