Airbnb Makes Accommodations Free to People Fleeing Hurricane Florence and Emergency Workers

Photo: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images

Airbnb has made its accommodations free for evacuees and disaster relief workers ofHurricane Florence.

The home-sharing and travel company is offering free lodging in numerous metropolitan areas across North Carolina (Charlotte and Greensboro), South Carolina (Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg), Georgia (Atlanta and Augusta) and Virginia (Charlottesville), through itsOpen Homes Program.

“In the event of major emergencies like this one, Airbnb’s Disaster Response Program helps local residents who have been displaced—as well asemergency relief workersand volunteers who are coming in to assist—find temporary accommodations with local Airbnb hosts who are opening their homes free of charge,” a representative for the company tells PEOPLE.

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Hosts in the participating areas can offer their homes and extra rooms through Airbnb’s website, and in return, the company will provide safety checks and 24/7 phone support services. People in need of a place to stay do not need to be existing Airbnb customers, and can create a verified account for a free stay during the natural disaster at any point.

As of Wednesday afternoon, over 350 Airbnb hosts had opened their homes to those needing shelter.

source: people.com