Home rental startup Airbnb over the weekend implemented a service that will allow the platform’s hosts to share their homes with displaced travelers in Paris for free, a move that comes after terrorist attacks in the city killed at least 129 people.
Airbnb’s disaster response service, which has been used in the wake of flooding and fire incidents, makes it possible for homeowners to share their spaces without paying a fee to the rental service. Airbnb says it is working with local and national government officials in France to make sure the service is offered to those looking for a place to stay. Re/code has also reported that Airbnb hosts were asked to help those in need by offering their homes at “little or no cost.”
If you were to search for housing listings in the Paris region Monday, an alert calls for “Urgent Accommodations for those displaced by Paris.” Users can then either request a place to stay or offer their space for free.
Airbnb initially launched a disaster response initiative in 2013, and since then, hosts have opened their doors after several emergencies across the globe, including in the wake of fires in San Diego, severe ice storms in Toronto and Atlanta, and in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. After a disaster strikes, Airbnb emails hosts in the affected area asking if they are willing to help. The startup also uses its networks to provide general disaster response information to both guests and hosts.