Airbnb activates Open Homes program

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Airbnb has activated its Open Homes program to aid residents who have been evacuated due to Hurricane Florence, including relief workers providing on-the-ground assistance.

In the event of emergencies like Hurricane Florence, Airbnb activates its host community through Open Homes to support neighbors helping neighbors. The Open Homes platform allows residents who have been displaced, as well as emergency relief workers and volunteers who are coming in to assist, to find temporary accommodation with local Airbnb hosts who are opening their homes free of charge, according to a news release.

Airbnb hosts in the communities of Atlanta and Augusta, Ga., Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C., Charlottesville, Va. and Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg are eligible to take part in the program and list their homes for free to evacuees and emergency relief workers.

These free listings are available until Oct. 1. Airbnb will continue to expand the territory of Open Homes listings if and where needed, or as requested by local officials, the release said.