Airbnb Promises Free Emergency Housing in Miami

Miami-Dade county is one of the most disaster-prone counties in the United States, according to FEMA, which ranks it Very High for natural hazard risks, such as coastal flooding, heat waves, hurricanes and lightning.

Juliette Fairley

Published: 8/28/2026, 4:41:23 PM EDT

Airbnb Promises Free Emergency Housing in Miami — Airbnb brand and logo is courtesy of Airbnb

Airbnb.org announced new disaster response agreements with two Miami-based non-profits.

Collaborations with the Jewish Community Services of South Florida’s (JCS) 211 Miami Program and Volunteer Florida aim to mobilize housing support within 24 hours of a disaster by helping impacted residents find a home to stay in that meets their needs.

“During times of crisis, our mission is to ensure our community’s most vulnerable and frail residents are cared for and supported,” JCS president and CEO Mirian Singer said in a statement. “This partnership helps bring that mission to life.”

Miami-Dade County residents displaced during emergency events are expected to benefit from faster access to complimentary, temporary housing.

Miami-Dade County is one of the most disaster-prone counties in the United States, according to FEMA, which ranks it Very High for natural hazard risks, such as coastal flooding, heat waves, hurricanes and lightning.

For example, the Miami Foundation documented the September 2017 landfall of Hurricane Irma, which left more than 75 percent of the county without electrical power.

“By partnering with JCS 211 Miami and Volunteer Florida ahead of peak hurricane season, we’re better positioned to coordinate with local responders and help more Miami-Dade families find a free, comfortable place to stay when they need it most,” Airbnb.org global programs and operations director Christine Chang said in a statement.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that the peak season for hurricane season in Florida is mid-August through mid-October, with Sept. 10 referred to as the single busiest day for tropical activity in the Atlantic basin, which borders Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Texas.

This isn’t Airbnb.org’s first initiative to provide housing during emergency events. Airbnb.org has provided 40,000 nights of emergency housing to Floridians since 2020.

For example, during hurricanes Helene, Milton and Debby in 2024.

By partnering with nonprofits and government organizations before disaster strikes, Airbnb.org says it can provide housing support more quickly and in more places.

“The best time to strengthen disaster response is before a storm hits,” Chang added.

Under the Miami-Dade agreements, JCS 211 Miami and Volunteer Florida will identify local people who have emergency housing needs and coordinate with municipal responders.

Airbnb.org will connect the housing-challenged with a place to stay at Airbnb homes that have kitchens, laundry rooms, and are often pet-friendly.

“As Florida’s lead agency for volunteerism and disaster donations, Volunteer Florida understands that strong partnerships established before disaster strikes are essential to an effective response,” Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo said in a statement. “Through this partnership with Airbnb.org, we are strengthening our ability to quickly connect Floridians displaced by disasters with temporary housing when they need it most.”