Airbnb Open Homes is a program that provides temporary housing to those in need. It’s an incredible service that allows people in vulnerable situations around the world access to safe and affordable accommodations during times of crisis.

This blog post provides an overview of what exactly the program is, who can use it, how it works, and how short-term rental hosts can sign-up to list their property on Airbnb Open Homes.

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!

What is Airbnb Open Homes?

Airbnb Open Homes is a humanitarian initiative by Airbnb that aims to provide temporary housing for people in need, such as refugees, disaster survivors, and other displaced individuals.

Through this program, short-term rental hosts can voluntarily offer their homes or spare rooms at no cost to those who are facing hardships and require a safe place to stay.

By connecting generous hosts with individuals in need, Open Homes fosters a sense of community and support, making a positive impact on the lives of people during difficult times.

Airbnb Open Homes differs from regular Airbnb listings in several key ways:

• Purpose: While regular Airbnb listings are meant for travelers looking for short-term accommodations, Airbnb Open Homes focuses on providing temporary housing for people in need, such as refugees, disaster survivors, and displaced individuals.
• Cost: In a regular Airbnb listing, guests pay for their stay, and hosts earn an income from renting out their property. In contrast, Open Homes hosts volunteer to offer their homes or rooms for free, specifically for individuals facing hardships.
• Duration of stay: Regular Airbnb listings can have stays ranging from one night to several months, depending on the host’s preferences. Airbnb Open Homes typically involve longer stays, as they aim to provide temporary housing for guests until they can find more stable and permanent solutions.
• Screening and support: Open Homes often partners with various organizations and nonprofits specializing in assisting displaced individuals. These organizations may help with the screening and matching process to ensure that the guests are genuinely in need and that both hosts and guests have a positive experience.
• Additional resources: Open Homes provides hosts with additional resources and support to assist them in accommodating displaced individuals. This can include information on how to create a welcoming environment, address potential cultural differences, and ensure the safety and comfort of both hosts and guests.

How Do You Register for Open Homes?

The step-by-step process for hosts to sign up for Open Homes is as follows:

1. Visit the Airbnb Open Homes website: Go to the Open Homes page at www.airbnb.org/get-involved.

2. Create or log in to your Airbnb account: If you don’t already have an Airbnb account, create one by clicking “Sign up” and providing the required information. If you already have an account, log in using your credentials.

3. Click on “Host your home”: Select this button to start the process of listing your space.

4. Provide details about your space: Fill out the required information about your home, such as the type of property, number of guests it can accommodate, available rooms, and amenities.

5. Set availability: Indicate the dates when your home is available for hosting. You can choose specific periods or select more flexible options like “any time” or “on certain dates.” Remember that Open Homes guests typically require longer stays, so consider offering extended periods of availability.

6. Add a description and photos: Write a compelling description of your space, highlighting any unique features or aspects that would make it suitable for hosting displaced individuals. Upload high-quality, well-lit photos of your home to give potential guests a clear idea of the space.
7. Review house rules and expectations: Clearly state your house rules and any expectations you have for guests. This can include information on quiet hours, smoking policies, and pet restrictions, among other things.
8. Complete the verification process: Verify your identity by providing the necessary identification documents and completing Airbnb’s verification process. This helps ensure the safety and trust of the Airbnb community.
9. Submit your listing: Once you have completed all the required steps, submit your listing for approval. Airbnb may review your listing and get in touch with you if they need any additional information or clarification.
10. Integrate with Host Tools: After your listing is approved, Airbnb will provide you with a shared calendar for both your regular listings and Open Home listing. Make sure you’re using a channel manager like Host Tools to prevent any double bookings.

What are the Requirements for Airbnb Open Homes?

To list on Airbnb Open Homes, hosts must meet certain requirements to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for both parties.

Here are the primary requirements for hosts:

• Space availability: Hosts should have a spare room, entire home, or other livable space available for guests in need. The space should be clean, safe, and offer basic amenities such as one towel and pillow per guest.
• Longer stays: As Airbnb Open Homes caters to displaced individuals who require temporary housing, hosts should be willing to accommodate guests for longer stays than typical short-term rentals.
• Adherence to Airbnb’s Community Standards: Hosts must follow Airbnb’s Community Standards, which include treating everyone with respect, ensuring the safety of all users, and maintaining a reliable and trustworthy reputation.
• Commitment to inclusiveness and non-discrimination: Hosts participating in Airbnb Open Homes should be committed to fostering an inclusive environment and adhering to Airbnb’s non-discrimination policy, which prohibits discrimination based on factors such as race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Open Homes is a great way for hosts to make a positive difference in their communities by providing accommodation for displaced individuals. By following the steps outlined above and ensuring they meet the necessary requirements, hosts can easily list their homes on Airbnb Open Homes and provide much-needed relief to those in need. With this program, everyone from hosts to guests can experience the power of hospitality and connect with people from all walks of life. 

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!