Airbnb Offers Free, Temporary Housing Across Georgia, Southeast

GEORGIA — Airbnb has launched its Open Homes Program to help displaced residents and relief workers deployed to the southeast region impacted by Hurricane Dorian. The program recruits hosts who are willing and able to provide free housing to displaced residents, and disaster relief workers in the activation area.

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The Open Homes Program for Hurricane Dorian was first activated on Aug. 28 to assist those in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The new activation area on the U.S. mainland includes the majority of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Alabama. The Open Homes Program is currently available through Sept. 16.

This activation for Hurricane Dorian is one of Airbnb’s largest ever activation for a natural disaster.

“Airbnb’s Open Homes Program continues to be activated for those affected by Hurricane Dorian across the southeast U.S. region,” Kellie Bentz, Airbnb’s Head of Global Disaster Response and Relief said in a press release. “Through the program, those in need of temporary accommodations can connect with Open Homes hosts in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama free of charge. We encourage hosts to open up their homes, and those who need housing to take advantage of the program.”

This concept began organically in 2012 in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and has since grown into a global disaster response initiative that makes it easy for Airbnb hosts to provide space for people in need when disasters strike.

As Hurricane Dorian made landfall Sunday morning in the Bahamas as a devastating category 5 storm packing 185 mph winds, forecasters said it threatens to cause major damage to several coastal Georgia counties. Officials are urging residents in the eastern part of the state to prepare their property for hurricane winds, and get their families ready if evacuations are ordered.

Dorian’s current path shows that it could reach Georgia’s coast around 8 a.m. Wednesday as a major hurricane with wind speeds over 110 miles per hour. Georgia became more of a focus for officials as Dorian appeared to shift its course northward, away from Florida, and now threatens the Carolinas and Georgia with heavy rains that could produce life-threatening flash flooding starting on Labor Day.

Ahead of the storm’s arrival, the Atlanta Motor Speedway is opening its camping facilities to evacuees seeking refuge from Hurricane Dorian. The Speedway, which is equipped to handle thousands of campers during its annual NASCAR weekend, will provide camping space free of charge for dry RV and tent campers in its Legends Campground. A limited number of camping spaces with water, power and sewer are also available for a nominal fee of $20 per night in the Premier Campground. Located adjacent to the campgrounds, AMS will also open The Rinnai Shower Station camper bath house, allowing evacuees free access to hot showers and restroom facilities during their stay.

For accommodations in Georgia, visit the Official Georgia Tourism and Travel website.

Evacuees and their pets are welcome in Georgia’s State Parks, including horses at parks with equestrian facilities. Check GaStateParks.org for hurricane policies and status updates.