Airbnb offers free lodging for French medics fighting COVID-19

Posted on 25 March 2020

Airbnb has launched a local expansion of its Open Homes program in partnership with the French Government. On 24 March, the program will connect medical staff and caregivers battling the coronavirus outbreak in France free places to stay offered by local Airbnb hosts.

Hosts are already offering free accommodation to frontline staff fighting the outbreak, across the world.

Last week Airbnb launched a similar initiative in Italy which will helps connect hosts willing to offer their place for free to medical staff in need of a place to stay close to their place of work.

Also read: Airbnb launches free stays for medics in Italy

In these cases Airbnb will waive all fees for the stays and will give €50 (about R940) to hosts to help with cleaning costs.

Emmanuel Marill, Airbnb Director in France said: “Unprecedented times call for an unprecedented response and as the world unites to fight the coronavirus outbreak, we have made it our priority as a community to provide what support we can. By standing with our host community to offer free accommodation for caregivers and social workers we hope we can help heroic professionals on the frontlines as they work to protect us all and save lives. Our thoughts go to everyone affected by this outbreak and our sincere thanks go to medical staff across the country. We will continue to gather learnings on this initiative to see if they can be applied to other communities across the world.”

Julien Denormandie, French Housing Minister, said: “I would like to thank Airbnb for answering my call. I know many French citizens want to help with this crisis. Through this solution, and thanks to their generosity, housing will be provided for healthcare workers and people working in centres helping homeless people, to get closer to their place of work.”

This new pilot is part of the Open Homes program, which provides free, temporary housing to people going through a difficult time. To date, over 50,000 people who have been impacted by disaster, illness, or conflict have found temporary housing thanks to Open Homes hosts around the world.

Airbnb has put out a call to all host who are willing to make their accommodation available to medical staff to register on Airbnb if you have an entire home available for at least 15 days next to a hospital, nursing home or emergency shelter. Importantly for health reasons only entire homes are eligible.

Doctors healthcare worker and social workers looking for accommodation can register now through this form.

 

Image: Supplied






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