Airbnb.org and United Way arrange free temporary housing for Nashville-area residents displaced by Winter Storm Fern
Free emergency stays offered as outages and unsafe home conditions persist
Airbnb.org, the nonprofit founded by Airbnb, has launched a free emergency housing program for Nashville-area residents who cannot safely remain in their homes following Winter Storm Fern. The initiative is being coordinated locally with United Way of Greater Nashville, which is identifying eligible residents and connecting them with temporary stays.
Access to the housing support is routed through the region’s 2-1-1 service. Residents seeking help are directed to call 211, a free and confidential hotline used to connect people to local resources during emergencies. The program does not accept self-referrals directly through Airbnb.org; placement is handled through the local partner network.
Why temporary housing demand surged during the storm response
The housing offer arrives amid a broad emergency response to the storm’s impacts in Nashville and surrounding counties, including prolonged power outages, hazardous travel conditions, and cold temperatures that complicated recovery operations. Metro Nashville officials issued a state of emergency on January 25, 2026, as storm conditions intensified and disruptions spread across the city.
City emergency management updates during the week described ongoing shelter operations and expanded support services, including case management at designated winter storm shelters. Officials have emphasized connecting affected residents with recovery resources that can include short-term housing options, food, and supplies.
How the program works and who qualifies
The emergency housing is intended for residents who have been displaced or otherwise cannot safely remain at home because of storm-related impacts. United Way of Greater Nashville is responsible for identifying residents with the greatest need and coordinating placements into available short-term rentals offered through participating hosts.
Residents seeking assistance are instructed to call 211 to be routed to available support services.
Stays arranged through the program are free for eligible guests.
Local nonprofit partners oversee referrals and placement, rather than direct booking by individuals.
Parallel relief efforts and funding streams
Alongside housing support, local emergency updates also highlighted a broader relief structure that includes public-private coordination and direct aid funds. A winter weather relief fund was announced to help individuals and families address urgent needs such as food and supplies, with the stated intent to shift toward cleanup and debris removal support as needs are assessed.
Separately, Metro Social Services has reported that social workers were positioned at designated winter storm shelters to provide case management and help residents navigate resources tied to recovery, including housing-related support.
Residents who cannot safely remain at home due to storm impacts are being directed to 211 for screening and connection to temporary housing resources.
What residents should know now
Officials have continued to publish storm-recovery information through city channels, including shelter locations and service updates. For households facing unsafe conditions—whether from lack of heat, damage, or other storm impacts—the immediate pathway for the Airbnb.org emergency housing program is the same: call 211 to request evaluation and connection to available assistance.
The housing initiative is designed as short-term stabilization during the response phase, complementing city shelter operations and longer-term recovery planning expected to continue into early February.