Airbnb wants hosts to offer free rooms to disaster victims

AIRBNB hosts in NSW are being encouraged to throw open their doors for free to victims of disasters such as bushfires.

Prince William signs a book of condolences after meeting first aid responders and members of the community at Manchester cathedral who provided care and support to those affected by the June terror attack. Good samaritans in the city opened their homes for those displaced at the time.

AIRBNB hosts in NSW are being encouraged to throw open their doors for free to victims of disasters such as bushfires.

The share economy giant is in talks with the state government to provide emergency accommodation for people forced out of their homes.

A similar MOU has already been signed with the Victorian government. The move is inspired by good samaritans offering up spare rooms to victims in the wake of terrorist ­attacks in the UK.

Airbnb would provide its hosts with alerts during any significant emergency.

Airbnb is now working to identify hosts who are happy to open their doors for free in emergencies.

As part of the program Airbnb will provide them with alerts during any significant emergency.

The program was started with hosts in the Blue Mountains because of the area’s vulnerability to bushfires, but Airbnb wants to ­expand it across the state.

Michele Discroll, an Airbnb host in Leura who signed the pledge to offer up her home, said she wanted to help in an emergency.

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“I do make sure all my guests have fire information and make sure I am aware of any threats, as fire can happen and cause devastating situations at any time,” she said. “You never know when you might be in the same situation yourself.”

Airbnb officials have met with NSW Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant’s office to discuss details including providing willing hosts with emergency preparedness educational and training materials.

Airbnb technology would notify hosts and guests about significant emergencies, ensuring that guests got emergency alerts in their own language.

Airbnb’s head of public policy ANZ Brent Thomas said hosts wanted to help the community “in its darkest hours”.

“With the bushfire season already on us, we want to support the NSW government and the people on the frontline who keep us safe. Our community wants to help bolster NSW’s emergency response.”

A spokesman for the Minister said the Office of Emergency Management was in continuing talks with Airbnb about working together on disaster response and recovery.