LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Airbnb hosts across the Las Vegas Valley are taking in evacuees from across Southern California.
Homeowners and “hosts” have signed up with the company to assist people searching for shelter, as hundreds of thousands of people in the Los Angeles area are under an evacuation or warning, Wednesday night.
Airbnb is working with L.A. County’s 211 system to provide people temporary and free shelter. The company put out a call for help for homeowners to volunteer, and for people to donate to the cause. Those who have lost their homes or have been forced to evacuate are being given priority shelter, according to a spokesperson.
One host and listing manager took in a family with pets driving in from Pasadena.
“They have young kids, elderly and pets…there may be more joining. Normally we have a limit to how many people can be in a house. But in times like this, in emergencies, then we can make exceptions for that, to make sure people can be safe and be together as a family,” said Malee Simpson, and Airbnb host who also manages various listings for other homeowners across the Las Vegas Valley.
“A lot of [hosts] realize how important it is, and that’s why they’re asking about getting involved,” said Jackie Flores of the Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association, who is helping homeowners sign up to take in evacuees. Hosts have had previous experience with emergency efforts, housing first responders during the pandemic.
Flores speaks for a number of hosts volunteering their homes who may not have a license, yet, through Clark County. Hundreds have been waiting years to operate legally through the lengthy legalization and licensing review.
There are around 100 hosts who are licensed to operate in unincorporated Clark County, Flores said, though there are thousands of Airbnb and short-term rental listings.
“They’re still afraid of getting in trouble, but I think everybody realizes the importance of lending a hand,” Flores said.
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