Airbnb helps co-ordinate free emergency homes for Fort McMurray evacuees
Home-sharing service has taken similar user-spurred actions in wake of other disasters
The home-sharing website Airbnb is joining the list of organizations helping in the aftermath of the devastating Fort McMurray fire.
The web-based company is co-ordinating free home and apartment rentals until May 21. It has waived the service fees it usually charges on transactions between users, and carrying listings from users who are renting out their places at no charge.
- Fort McMurray evacuees: A list of resources available across Alberta
- LIVE BLOG | Breaking updates on the Fort McMurray wildfire
- More evacuation orders issued for Fort McMurray area
Most of the listings are in Edmonton, which is the main city evacuees have fled to.
Other organizations are offering housing to those who were forced to leave their homes, many of whom left with just the clothes on their backs.
Other sites in Edmonton offering shelter to evacuees are:
- Edmonton Expo Centre
- MacEwan University
- Al Rashid Mosque
And several facilities have also opened their doors:
- Lac La Biche Bold Centre, north of Edmonton
- Wapasu Creek Lodge, north of Fort McMurray
- Horizon North Blacksand Lodge, north of Fort McMurray
- Suncor Firebag Village, north of Fort McMurray
Airbnb users have taken similar action before, such as when Hurricane Sandy hit New York in 2012, and in the wake of the recent earthquake in Ecuador.
Click here for a full list of emergency relief services, including food and medical help.
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