Airbnb pledges $500m to non-profit, scaling emergency stays and raising questions over housing relief

Airbnb plans to dedicate US$500 million to its philanthropic arm over the next five years to increase temporary housing support for medical travellers and disaster survivors. The short-term rental platform will fund the expansion by donating 10 cents from every booking and make up any shortfall, according to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. Airbnb.org, the independent non-profit whose operating costs are already covered by the company, aims to scale up to eventually provide 1 million nights of free housing each year.