Airbnb program provides housing for COVID-19 responders

PHOENIX – Hundreds of Valley Airbnb hosts are taking part in a program that connects them with health care workers and first responders battling the coronavirus outbreak who need places to stay.

Airbnb’s program, Frontline Stays, provides housing options to workers who have a high exposure to COVID-19.

“We definitely heard from cities and from medical workers that were going in to help, cities like Phoenix form other parts of the state or parts of the country, that they wanted to come help but there were certain things they needed, like places to stay,” Airbnb policy director Laura Spanjian told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.

Hosts in the program have the option of offering rentals at a reduced rate or for free but are not required to.

Airbnb is waiving its fees for the first 100,000 bookings from the program.

Spanjian said there are over 1,000 places to stay in Arizona with more being added daily. There are over 100,000 places available to stay around the world.

The initiative stems from Airbnb’s open homes program which launched in 2012 to help individuals displaced by Hurricane Sandy.

Those who are eligible can book one of two ways. A medical worker can apply directly online.

The other option is for hospitals and cities to work directly with Airbnb and then coordinate with the medical workers on their end to provide housing.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.

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