Airbnb.org offers free emergency housing to people displaced by Colorado wildfires

Key Takeaways

• Airbnb.org is providing free, emergency housing for people impacted by several active wildfires in Colorado.
  
  
• Airbnb.org is partnering with Mile High United Way to identify those in need and connect them to a free place to stay.
  
  

To support those impacted by several active wildfires in Colorado, Airbnb.org—a nonprofit founded by Airbnb to provide emergency housing in times of crisis—is working with Mile High United Way and its 211 Colorado statewide Help Center to offer free, emergency housing to displaced residents and first responders. Stays are free for guests and are funded by Airbnb.org and the generosity of donors.

“A comfortable place to call home can help people recover after a disaster. That’s why we’re partnering with Mile High United Way to provide free, temporary housing to people impacted by the Colorado wildfires,” said Christoph Gorder, Executive Director of Airbnb.org. “Our partnership will enable families to find the comforts of home as they work toward longer-term recovery plans.”

“When disaster strikes, the last thing a family should have to worry about is where they’ll sleep tonight. Mile High United Way is supporting families across our state and reinforcing that we are here to help meet their needs, whenever and wherever they need us most. Through our partnership with Airbnb.org, the Colorado Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (COVOAD), and the tireless work of our 211 navigators, we are proving that we move quickly and will be there for all who have been impacted,” said Christine Benero, Mile High United Way President and CEO. 

Airbnb.org partners with local organizations before disaster strikes, so housing support is available quickly. Mile High United Way is identifying residents in need of temporary housing and referring them to Airbnb.org, which provides credits to book a nearby Airbnb stay that meets their needs - often close to their workplaces, schools, or support networks.

Airbnb.org and Mile High United Way are currently responding to the following fires in western and southern Colorado:

• Aspen Acres Fire
• Gold Mountain Fire
• Snyder Fire
• Willow Fire
• Ferris and Doe Canyon Fires

Residents statewide impacted by the wildfires can request temporary housing support by contacting 2-1-1.

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization founded by Airbnb that connects people to emergency housing in times of crisis. Airbnb.org uses the Airbnb platform to connect people who need a place to stay with Airbnb hosts willing to share theirs. 100 percent of all donations go directly to providing emergency housing in times of crisis. Since its founding in 2020, Airbnb.org has provided 1.6 million nights of free, temporary housing to people, including during hurricanes in the Caribbean, flooding in central Texas, wildfires in Los Angeles, floods in Brazil, and the earthquake in Japan’s Noto Peninsula.

How to help

Anyone interested in supporting those impacted by the wildfires in Colorado can help by donating to Airbnb.org. 100 percent of donations go directly toward connecting people in crisis with emergency housing.

United Way of Southern Colorado has established the Southern Colorado Wildfire Relief Fund to support individuals and communities affected by wildfires, waiving all administrative fees so 100% of donations fund emergency shelter, food, supplies and recovery efforts through local emergency management agencies and nonprofit partners. The organization is also accepting specific relief supplies, with details available at unitedwaysoco.org/emergencyinfo.

Donations can also be made through Mile High United Way’s 211 Help Center, a statewide service connecting Coloradans to critical resources.

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About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization founded by Airbnb that connects people to free emergency housing in times of crisis. Airbnb.org pays for stays, leverages the Airbnb platform, and taps into Airbnb’s global community of hosts willing to share their homes with those in need. Airbnb covers all Airbnb.org’s operating costs and makes no money on Airbnb.org stays. This means 100% of donations directly fund stays for people in need of emergency housing. Since 2020, Airbnb.org has provided 1.6 million nights of free, temporary housing in nearly 140 countries around the world.

About United Way of Southern Colorado

United Way of Southern Colorado serves as a trusted community leader by leveraging resources in support of collaborative solutions that strengthen communities across Southern Colorado. Through strategic partnerships, community investment, and innovative initiatives, United Way works to advance economic mobility and opportunity, youth success, community resilience, and nonprofit capacity development throughout Southern Colorado.

About Mile High United Way 

Mile High United Way, the first United Way in the world, was founded in Denver in 1887. Working side by side with the community, Mile High United Way takes on critical human services issues facing our seven-county footprint including the Metro Denver, Boulder and Broomfield communities. Our united approach changes the odds for all children, families and individuals in our community, so that we all can succeed.  Learn more at www.unitedwaydenver.org. Follow us on social media: @UnitedWayDenver. 

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5.5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays, experiences, and services that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

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