San José Host Corps: Preparing to Help our Neighbors
Two years ago, our community faced some of the worst flooding in a generation. Approximately 14,000 residents were evacuated and hundreds of our neighbors found themselves immediately displaced, staying in hotels, with friends or in shelters. But as much as those floods were trying for our City, we also saw our community step up and help uplift each other amidst the dark challenges: our heroic firefighters rescued over 300 residents, over 4,000 people volunteered their time to clean up affected neighborhoods and over 3000 private and corporate donors raised over $7 million to help our affected neighbors. This response amidst a tragic situation reminds us all what makes San José special; it demonstrates our city’s resiliency and character.
Since these floods, we have been working hard to ensure something like this never happens again. We have been investing heavily in transforming our people, processes and technology to achieve this: from enlarging our emergency response team, to providing them with adequate training for when emergency protocols are activated, to piloting innovative communications technologies that allows our teams to communicate in real-time, from the field or inside the Emergency Operations Center. However, with floods and fires becoming more frequent occurrences, we want to ensure we are as prepared as possible for any possible outcome. That’s why in October 2018, we launched the first ever Host Corps, to encourage San Jose residents to sign up to shelter displaced neighbors and community members before disaster strikes.
Airbnb (the online rental platform used for short-term travelers) created the Open Homes initiative after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when a concerned user of the site reached out that she wanted to share her spare rooms for free. Through Open Homes, hosts have offered temporary free housing to over 11,000 victims of disasters, conflict or illness. The San José Host Corps pilot program focuses on localized, proactive Open Homes sign-ups ahead of an emergency for anyone wishing to open their home only in a time of need regardless of whether or not they are a current Airbnb host.
As Mayor Liccardo mentioned at the kick off event, “With the help of Airbnb’s unique platform, we’ll proactively engage the many compassionate residents in our community who are willing and able to help their neighbors in time of need.” So far, hundreds of San José residents have joined the Host Corps through a digital campaign, in-person events and coordination with local organizations. “Mayor Sam Liccardo and the City of San Jose are using innovative ways to solve complicated problems.” said Kim Rubey, Airbnb’s Global Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy. “This is the first time that Airbnb has worked with a city in this capacity — to proactively recruit people before a disaster and we are delighted that Host Corps is being piloted in San Jose!”
Two years ago, our community faced deep loss and tragedy, but due to the resilient and cooperative spirit of our community, we were able to respond and uplift each other through some dark times. As we face an increasingly uncertain climate, we know we have to act today to keep our community safe tomorrow, and we know we can’t do this only through technology. Take action today and join the San Jose Host Corps!
