Irvine, CA (May 25, 2026) — As Orange County responds to the Garden Grove emergency chemical incident and the evacuation of more than 50,000 residents, 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC) is working alongside community partners to provide residents with up-to-date information, resource navigation, and connections to critical support services.
During natural disasters and emergencies, 211OC serves as the community’s 24/7 non-emergency helpline, connecting people to trusted information and local assistance. Residents can call the simple three-digit number, 2-1-1, for help with non-life-threatening needs, including evacuation information, shelter resources, food assistance, transportation, and other community support services. For medical or life-threatening emergencies, residents should continue to call 9-1-1.
As part of the community response to this emergency, 211OC is partnering with Airbnb.org, a nonprofit founded by Airbnb, to help connect displaced residents to free temporary housing provided through Airbnb.org .
How the partnership works
Airbnb.org works with trusted nonprofit and community organizations to help identify people most in need of emergency housing during disasters and crises. Through this partnership, staff at evacuation centers are helping identify evacuees in need of housing support, while 211OC serves as the referral partner responsible for processing eligible households and connecting them to Airbnb.org. Priority is being given to families where the adult or child has a disability, and seniors with disabilities.
Eligible residents referred through 211OC will receive credits from Airbnb.org to book temporary stays through the Airbnb platform. Guests can choose accommodations that best fit their needs, often near schools, workplaces, medical providers, family, and support networks.
Temporary stays are provided free of charge to guests through Airbnb.org and the generosity of donors.
“This emergency has impacted thousands of Orange County residents, and our community is coming together to help families during an incredibly difficult time,” said Elizabeth Andrade, Executive Director of 211OC. “2-1-1 Orange County is here 24/7 to connect people with trusted information, local resources, and support—including referrals to Airbnb.org’s temporary housing program for eligible evacuees.”
“After an evacuation, having a safe and comfortable place to stay can make all the difference,” said Christoph Gorder, Executive Director of Airbnb.org. “Through our partnership with 2-1-1 Orange County, we’re able to help connect displaced families to temporary housing during this evolving emergency.”
Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization founded by Airbnb that connects people to emergency housing in times of crisis. Airbnb.org uses the Airbnb platform to connect people who need a place to stay with Airbnb hosts willing to share theirs. 100% of all donations go directly to providing emergency housing in times of crisis. Since its founding in 2020, Airbnb.org has provided 1.6 million nights of free, temporary housing to people, including during hurricanes in the Caribbean, flooding in central Texas, wildfires in Los Angeles, floods in Brazil, and the earthquake in Japan’s Noto Peninsula.
How to help
Community members interested in supporting residents displaced by the chemical incident can help by:
- Signing up to offer discounted stays as an Airbnb.org host
- Donating to Airbnb.org, with 100% of donations going directly toward emergency housing stays for people impacted by crises
About 2-1-1 Orange County
2-1-1 Orange County, a key service of Orange County United Way, is a 24/7 multilingual health and human services information and referral system serving Orange County residents. By dialing 2-1-1, residents can access trusted information and connections to community resources, including food, housing, mental health services, disaster response support, healthcare, and more. During emergencies and disasters, 2-1-1 Orange County helps residents access timely information and connect to available assistance and recovery resources.
About Airbnb.org
Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization founded by Airbnb that connects people to free emergency housing in times of crisis. Airbnb.org funds stays through donor support, leverages the Airbnb platform, and works with Airbnb hosts willing to open their homes to people in need. Airbnb covers Airbnb.org’s operating costs and does not profit from Airbnb.org stays, meaning 100% of donations directly support emergency housing. Since 2020, Airbnb.org has provided more than 1.6 million nights of temporary housing in nearly 140 countries worldwide.
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Media Contact: Stephanie Kupanoff, StephanieK@UnitedWayOC.org, 949.263.6166
