AirBNB Says it Will Offer Free Housing to Thousands of Afghan Refugees

Housing and rental company AirBNB says it will provide free temporary lodging to tens of thousands of refugees from Afghanistan as part of global efforts to evacuate vulnerable citizens from the now-Taliban-controlled country.

The company “will provide temporary housing to 20,000 Afghan refugees worldwide,” it said in a press release.

“I hope this inspires other business leaders to do the same,” said chief executive Brian Chesky. “There’s no time to waste.”

“As tens of thousands of Afghan refugees resettle around the world, where they stay will be the first chapter in their new lives. For these 20,000 refugees, my hope is that the Airbnb community will provide them with not only a safe place to rest and start over, but also a warm welcome home,” he added.

The funding for that housing—which is being administered through its nonprofit Airbnb.org—will come “through contributions to Airbnb.org from Airbnb and Chesky, as well as donors to the Airbnb.org Refugee Fund.”

“Airbnb.org will closely collaborate with resettlement agencies and partners to go where the need goes, and evolve this initiative and our support as necessary,” the release said.

The company said that over the last several years it has “connected approximately 25,000 refugees – including hundreds participating in the US Special Immigrant Visa Program – to temporary housing.”