Airbnb.org provides free emergency housing to people displaced by wildfires in France

To support those impacted by wildfires in Gironde and Landes, France, Airbnb.org is working with nonprofit and government partners to offer free emergency housing to displaced residents and first responders. Stays are free for guests and are funded by Airbnb.org and the generosity of donors.

In response to the Landes fires, Airbnb.org is working with the town halls of Biscarosse and Mairie de Pontenx-les-Forges to connect displaced residents with free, emergency housing. In the Gironde Prefecture, Airbnb.org is working with the town halls of the ten municipalities of the Communauté de Communes Médullienne, and the Union Régionale Hlm of Nouvelle-Aquitaine (URHLM) to offer free, emergency housing to displaced residents.

Additionally, Airbnb.org is providing free housing to Fédération nationale des sapeurs-pompiers de France (FNSPF) crews who have deployed in response to the Gironde fires, as part of an ongoing partnership between the two organizations.

"A comfortable place to call home can help people recover after a disaster and also provide first responders an opportunity to stay closer to disaster sites, reducing travel burdens and making it easier for them to recharge before heading back out into the field. Alongside our partners, we're already providing free stays for first responders and families as they work toward longer-term recovery plans." - Christoph Gorder, Executive Director of Airbnb.org.

"At a time when the dramatic events affecting Gironde are putting part of its population in a particularly difficult situation, it is important for everyone to be able to take part in a spirit of national solidarity, and for all of the region's resources to be mobilized in support of the citizens who need it most today." - Sophie Brocas, Prefect of Gironde.

"Our partnership with Airbnb will help reinforce solidarity with all affected families by supporting them toward temporary, free rehousing. This action will also help free up space at reception centers." - Muriel Boulmier, President of URHLM and regional councilor.

"We have access to a shared dashboard that is updated in real time with the Airbnb.org teams. Once the required information is entered, there is a short waiting period of five to ten minutes, and the Airbnb.org teams respond very quickly. Those affected then receive an email with the credits and instructions allowing them to book a stay." - Anaïs Durand, Communications Manager for the Médoc Plein Sud Tourist Office

How it works

Airbnb.org works with local organizations to help identify those in need of emergency housing. The Gironde Prefecture, the town hall of Biscarrosse, the town hall of Pontenx-les-Forges, the Communauté de Communes Médullienne, and URHLM are identifying residents in need of temporary housing and referring them to Airbnb.org. Impacted individuals are then granted credits from Airbnb.org to book a nearby Airbnb stay that meets their needs.

Residents impacted by wildfires can request temporary housing support by contacting:

In Gironde:

• Residents affected by the fires should contact the prefecture's housing unit set up for this purpose: [email protected], or their town hall, which coordinates requests, identifies affected families, and refers them to various housing solutions, including, for eligible residents, Airbnb.org.
• The municipalities currently covered are Le Porge, Saumos, Le Temple, Saint-Hélène, Salaunes, Brach, Listrac-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc, Castelnau-de-Médoc, and Avensan.

In Landes:

• Residents affected by the fires should contact their local town hall, which is coordinating requests, who will identify families affected and direct them toward various options for accommodations, including referring eligible residents to Airbnb.org.
• The municipalities covered are Biscarosse and Pontenx Les Forges.

How to help

Anyone interested in supporting those impacted by the wildfires in Gironde and Landes, France can visit Airbnb.org to either:

• Offer discounted stays as an Airbnb.org host, or
• Donate to Airbnb.org: 100% of donations go directly toward connecting people in crisis with emergency housing.

Airbnb.org in France

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization founded by Airbnb that connects people to emergency housing in times of crisis. Airbnb.org uses the Airbnb platform to connect people who need a place to stay with Airbnb hosts willing to share theirs. 100 percent of all donations go directly to providing emergency housing in times of crisis.

In France, Airbnb.org has previously provided free housing in response to wildfires in the Pyrénées-Orientales, Storm Nils in Gironde last February, hailstorms in Ardèche and residential fires in the Drôme.

Earlier this year, Airbnb.org and the Fédération nationale des sapeurs-pompiers de France (FNSPF) entered into a long-term partnership to offer free, emergency housing to firefighters impacted by disasters, as well as to those deployed on the front lines during crisis response efforts in selected disasters.

About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization founded by Airbnb that connects people to free emergency housing in times of crisis. Airbnb.org pays for stays, leverages the Airbnb platform, and taps into Airbnb's global community of hosts willing to share their homes with those in need. Airbnb covers all Airbnb.org's operating costs and makes no money on Airbnb.org stays. This means 100% of donations directly fund stays for people in need of emergency housing. Since 2020, Airbnb.org has provided 1.6 million nights of free, temporary housing in nearly 140 countries around the world, including during the earthquakes in Venezuela and Japan, hurricanes in the Caribbean, flooding in central Texas and wildfires in Los Angeles, California.

About partner organizations

The Communauté de Communes Médullienne is a Public Establishment for Intercommunal Cooperation (EPCI) bringing together 10 municipalities in the Gironde department, committed to regional development and the management of local services.

UR HLM: The Union Régionale Hlm en Nouvelle-Aquitaine (URHLM NA) brings together 56 social housing organizations in the region.