Airbnb.org expands support for U.S. service members, veterans and families

Airbnb.org, a nonprofit founded by Airbnb to provide emergency housing in times of crisis, is expanding support for US military veterans, service members and their families through new partnerships with Fisher House Foundation, Operation Healing Forces and Dream Foundation.

There are nearly 16 million US military veterans. Every year, tens of thousands of families in the military community need temporary accommodations to stay close to their loved ones during medical treatment.

Through the new partnerships, Fisher House Foundation and Operation Healing Forces will identify veterans and service members who are receiving medical treatment that requires them to travel away from home for long periods and connect them with a free Airbnb stay through Airbnb.org. This support eases a significant cost burden and makes it easier for families to stay together while their loved one receives medical care.

Dream Foundation's Dreams for Veterans program facilitates end-of-life Dreams-such as special experiences-for veterans who face terminal or life-limiting illness and their families. Airbnb.org will provide free stays for veterans and their families traveling through the program, helping families experience more of their trip together.

"Military veterans and service members proudly served our country, and now we have the opportunity to serve them during some of life's most difficult moments," said Christoph Gorder, Executive Director at Airbnb.org. "We're proud to partner with Fisher House Foundation, Operation Healing Forces and Dream Foundation to provide free stays for members of the military community. Having a free comfortable home to stay in can help families focus on their loved one's care and comfort."

"When medical care requires weeks or months away from home, having a comfortable place to stay can make a world of difference," said Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. "We are grateful to Airbnb.org for helping service members, veterans, and their families stay close through these longer journeys. This partnership will give families a place to settle in, recharge, and focus on what matters most: their loved one's recovery."

"The families of America's Special Operations Forces have made extraordinary sacrifices in service to our nation, and ensuring they have access to meaningful support during times of need is a responsibility we can all share," said Kerry Irvin, Chief Executive Officer of Operation Healing Forces. "A serious medical diagnosis can bring unexpected challenges, from financial uncertainty to the stress of being away from home and loved ones. With more than 14,000 members of America's Special Ops community projected to receive assistance through our programs by the end of 2026, the need for compassionate, accessible support is clear. Through our partnership with Airbnb.org, we are helping remove some of those obstacles by providing a place where families can stay together, find comfort, and focus on healing. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to honoring those who have sacrificed so much by ensuring they are cared for when they need it most."

"Airbnb.org's tremendous generosity has made an immediate impact, supporting end-of-life Dreams for terminally-ill adults including veterans and service members," says Kisa Heyer, Dream Foundation's Chief Executive Officer. "Nearly 45% of Dream requests include travel that necessitates lodging. Airbnb.org's support will allow us to serve these Dreams and allow us to accommodate large and extended families that may not have otherwise been able to share in the experience and precious memories."

These new partnerships build upon Airbnb.org's existing support for veterans, including its work with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization, where Airbnb.org provides free temporary housing to volunteers deploying to support relief efforts following natural disasters.

How it works

Airbnb.org leverages the Airbnb platform to connect people who need a place to stay with Airbnb homes, enabling guests to book homes that meet their needs-things like pet-friendly homes, accessibility features, kitchens, washing machines and dryers, or backyards where kids can play. All stays are offered at no cost to guests and funded by Airbnb.org.

Service members, veterans and their families can request support by contacting:

• Fisher House Foundation: www.fisherhouse.org
• Operation Healing Forces: 727-631-9713 or [email protected]
• Dream Foundation: 888-4DREAMS or [email protected]

How to help

Anyone interested in supporting can visit Airbnb.org to:

• Donate to Airbnb.org-100 percent of donations go directly toward connecting people in crisis with emergency housing.
• If you're an Airbnb host, you can sign up to provide discounted Airbnb.org stays.

Through a new funding model announced in October, Airbnb donates a portion of each stay to Airbnb.org, helping the nonprofit expand its work to more situations where free temporary stays can provide comfort and stability in times of crisis.