With thousands of families impacted across the country, Airbnb’s Open Homes program is helping with the bushfire relief effort.

Although rain might have arrived in some parts of the country this weekend, the road to recovery for bushfire victims is only just beginning. After this summer’s unprecedented fire conditions, thousands of Australians have been left without a roof over their head. But, there are plenty of businesses and individuals ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

One great example of generosity is Airbnb’s newly launched Open Homes Program. In a nutshell, the initiative is enabling Airbnb hosts to offer free, temporary housing those firefighters, relief workers and evacuees impacted by the bushfires. The program is open to hosts across NSW and Victoria, with Airbnb encouraging hosts to give back and consider taking part in the wake of one of Australia’s worst bushfire seasons.

The Open Homes Program is set to run from now until the end of January 2020, enabling those impacted to secure temporary housing across both states. For exhausted firefighters and families without a place to live, this program hopes to take the burden off in the immediate wake of this bushfire crisis.

In NSW, those in need of emergency housing can book into a waterfront beachside apartment in Malabar, a cosy garden yurt in Kaleen and even a Southern Highlands country house retreat in Penrose. For Victorians, you can stay in Japanese-style cabins in Walkervile, an eye-catching artist studio in Warburton plus a light-filled guest house in Hawthorn.

With many rural communities devastated by these fires, the Open Homes Program is the first step to helping that affected rebuild. Airbnb has also announced they are planning to launch a string of ongoing initiatives to support affected communities to rebuild, including encouraging tourism and visitation to fire-affected communities and businesses.

To find out more about the Airbnb Open Homes programs, click here.