Hope Air, a charity providing Canadians in financial need with travel to medical care far from home, reached a partnership with Airbnb, which will offer free accommodations to Canadians travelling for treatment.
Patients who qualify for support through Hope Air are automatically eligible for free accommodations through Airbnb. At this time, stays of up to seven days can be accommodated, although this is subject to availability. Since 1986, Hope Air has provided more than 145,000 travel arrangements to Canadians in financial need seeking treatment outside of their home communities.
This is Airbnb’s first charitable partnership outside of the United States that provides assistance to patients who are travelling for treatment through their Open Homes Medical Stays program. The partnership gives patients access to Airbnb accommodations for free, in addition to flights, bridge and ferry fares already provided by Hope Air.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to announce this partnership, as it feels like a natural extension of the vital service Hope Air is already providing to Canadians in need of greater access to medical care,” said Doug Keller-Hobson, CEO of Hope Air. “We recognize travel and longer-term stays for medical treatment are a financial burden for many patients, and we’re proud to partner with Airbnb to provide a home away from home during what is often a stressful time for patients and their families.”
Through Open Homes – Medical Stays, Airbnb works exclusively with trusted organizations like Hope Air to help identify and place patients and their families in homes at no cost.
“Too often, the cost of temporary accommodations can be a major barrier to accessing life-saving treatment or critical respite during recovery,” said Alexandra Dagg, director of public policy at Airbnb Canada. “We’re honoured to work with Hope Air and our hosts to provide safe, comfortable spaces to Canadians seeking medical treatment away from home.”
