Airbnb has activated its "Open Homes Program" in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael -- to help out people who have to leave their homes.
The activation zone now includes three new states: Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. Airbnb has also expanded the program to include all of Georgia, and most of Alabama and Florida.
On Tuesday night, the program expanded to most of Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.
The program was already activated in the greater Jacksonville and Gainesville areas as well as all of Central Florida, including Orange, Osceola, Polk, Brevard, Seminole, Volusia, Marion, Lake and Sumter counties.
It's free for three weeks until Oct. 29. When there are major emergencies, like Hurricane Michael, Airbnb connects hosts and guests.
After Hurricane Michael made landfall, people needed places to go. So Airbnb contacted hosts in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina to let them know the Open Homes are activated and asked them to take part. Then, hosts list their properties for free. People who evacuate then use the same link to find free listing close to where they are.
The program started in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy and has grown into a global disaster response initiative. So far, this program has responded to more than 250 disasters worldwide, including for Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Gordon.
If you're not a host yet, but you want to take in the program, you can sign up by clicking or tapping here.
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