Kif tista' tgħin lir-refuġjati li qed iħallu l-Ukrajna

Many of you have been following world events and wondering what you can do to help.

We want to let you know that Airbnb.org has committed to funding and facilitating free, short-term housing for up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine. In some cases, Airbnb.org may partner with nonprofit organizations on the ground who will directly coordinate these short-term stays.

If you want to get involved, you can sign up to provide emergency housing in your area or make a donation.

The commitment to house refugees fleeing Ukraine builds on the year-round work of Airbnb.org. Recently, the nonprofit announced that it provided housing to more than 20,000 Afghan refugees. It also set a new goal of providing free, temporary housing to another 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, and other regions.

This new effort to offer short-term housing for up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine is in addition to work over the past few years to support refugees and provide emergency accommodations to those in need.

In 2012, a Host named Shell opened her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. That kind gesture sparked a movement that led to Hosts on Airbnb providing free stays for people in times of need, and eventually evolved into Airbnb.org, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Over the last decade, Airbnb.org and our Host community have helped and housed tens of thousands of people, including refugees, those seeking shelter following natural disasters, and frontline workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, Airbnb.org announced the creation of a Refugee Fund and galvanized more than 4,000 donors and Hosts offering free and discounted stays—further supporting its work with refugees and asylum seekers worldwide.

Airbnb.org may work with nonprofit partners, including the International Rescue Committee, HIAS, and Care International.

In some instances, caseworkers from these types of organizations make bookings with Hosts on behalf of refugees and help these guests take care of other critical needs like finding healthcare, employment, and long-term accomodations. After assessing a potential guest’s needs and verifying their identity, partners may also refer potential refugee guests to Airbnb.org to receive a voucher, enabling them to book their stays directly. 

Airbnb.org helps fund the cost of short-term stays, and all service fees are waived, so  Airbnb doesn't make any money on these stays. As a Host, you can help these funds stretch even further by offering free or discounted stays.

How does the refugee housing program work, and who can participate?
Anyone with space available, from a private room to an entire home, can offer to temporarily house refugees through Airbnb.org. If you’re already a Host, you can opt into the program and make your listing available for free or at a discounted rate. If you’re new to Airbnb and want to host only for this cause, you can create a listing on Airbnb.org that will be free and available only to refugee guests.

How do people become eligible for emergency stays through Airbnb.org?
Airbnb.org often works with nonprofit organizations and resettlement agencies specializing in crisis response and refugee resettlement to facilitate on-the-ground support, including assessing the needs and eligibility of potential guests.

In some cases, Airbnb.org guests may be eligible to book temporary accommodations on their own. To do so, these guests must set up an Airbnb account, which includes identity verification checks.

How long should I expect to provide housing for refugees of the Ukraine crisis?

Airbnb.org stays are typically booked for a few days up to a few weeks. Due to the high volume of people fleeing Ukraine, longer stays may be necessary for some guests.

There is no cap on the length of Airbnb.org stays other than those related to individual listing availability and local regulations. Some cities have waived length-of-stay caps for refugee housing— to find out what regulations apply in your area, please contact the relevant local authorities.

How are those fleeing Ukraine booking their temporary stays?
Once a person or family has been identified as in need of temporary housing, a nonprofit caseworker may assist them with arranging a stay, or the guest may receive a booking voucher, enabling them to reserve temporary accommodations on their own.

Hosts may be notified during the booking process when a reservation request is for emergency housing through Airbnb.org.

What happens at the end of a refugee guest’s stay?
Refugee guests may be provided with access to additional assistance from a nonprofit organization or resettlement agency to help with next steps, such as transitioning to long-term housing after their stay.

How does Airbnb.org hosting impact my Superhost status?
Hosting an emergency stay through Airbnb.org can only positively affect Superhost status. For the April 1, 2022 Superhost assessment (including data from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022):

• Airbnb.org bookings will add to your total number of stays.
• Airbnb.org bookings will not impact the other factors considered during quarterly Superhost assessments, including reviews, cancellations, and responsiveness .

Is support only available for refugees who are Ukrainian?
Airbnb.org is committed to helping people from around the world with emergency housing needs. For the specific response to the crisis in Ukraine, Airbnb.orgs supports refugees and asylum seekers fleeing Ukraine, regardless of nationality, race, or ethnicity.

Can people who have never hosted before sign up to provide housing?
Yes. Hosts can share information about Airbnb.org with anyone who has space to share and an interest in helping to host refugees. Anyone who is interested in supporting this initiative, including by offering free or discounted stays, can get involved.

How can I connect people I know who are affected by this crisis with emergency housing support?
Refugees and asylum seekers fleeing Ukraine who are in need of immediate support can get connected to available resources from the UN Refugee Agency.