OpenBnB
Homes for shelter in times of need
Why OpenBnB?
In major hurricanes like Katrina, while 1.2 million people successfully evacuated, however, hundreds of thousands were left stranded due to shelter shortages—issues that platforms like OpenBnB could help mitigate.
Hurricane Milton led to mandatory evacuations for 6 million Floridians, prompting many to flee on last-minute flights without accommodations, a problem OpenBnB could address by connecting evacuees with nearby hosts.
Beyond physical displacement, evacuees face prolonged financial and emotional stress from extended stays in emergency shelters; OpenBnB could alleviate these challenges by connecting evacuees with hosts, providing stable, comforting accommodations during recovery.
Studies show that evacuees who don’t return to their residences face higher unemployment (up to 25%) compared to those who can return, highlighting the importance of stable, temporary housing for economic recovery. Massachusetts experiences an average of 10-12 winter storms each year, including blizzards like Winter Storm Grayson, which dumped over 14 inches of snow in 2018. This impacts travel and local essential support for those displaced by such weather events.
About
OpenBnB is a platform dedicated to providing secure, temporary housing solutions for people facing urgent displacement due to natural disasters. When hurricanes, wildfires, or other emergencies force evacuations, finding safe, reliable shelter becomes a pressing need. Traditional options, like public shelters, hotels, or family homes, are often limited and quickly overwhelmed. OpenBnB steps in to bridge this gap by connecting evacuees with local hosts willing to offer their space, creating a community-driven response to displacement.
Our mission is to empower communities to support each other during crises, making it easier for displaced individuals to find comfort and stability in times of uncertainty. OpenBnB is designed to alleviate the stress and uncertainty evacuees face, providing a network of welcoming homes for those in need.
Whether you’re a family in an evacuation zone or someone with space to share, OpenBnB makes finding and offering shelter simple and accessible. We believe in the strength of communities to come together, providing support where it's needed most. By using OpenBnB, hosts and guests alike can contribute to a safer, more compassionate response to disaster displacement.
Contact
Questions? You can contact us at openbnb@gmail.com
Meet the Team
Denali Schlesinger
Data Science major at Boston University
Rae Yan
Computer Science & Music major at Northeastern University
Hassan Dawy
Data Science major at Boston University
Alan Xi
Computer Science & Math major at Boston University