AirBnb's latest vacation booking is a harsh reality

By Sonya Davidson

Winter can be a very long for many of us here in Canada. Like many of you, I've been eyeing vacation options. A warm destination is very appealing especially when we are expecting a snowstorm to hit us. A vacation can't come soon enough! While we all do our travel research as incentive to get us through the day or week, we understand that not everyone an afford a dream vacation. 

Engage and Change, a charity that focuses on giving back to the homeless and less fortunate within the Greater Toronto Area is bringing awareness with AirBnb's platform, to show Canadians what reality is for many on our streets in the dead of winter. 

To help create impact, awareness and support, the charity is listing actual homes of people who live on park benches, over heating grates, alleyways and other unacceptable living conditions for a rental price of $25, the cost one can donate to help create a Winter Surival Kit (containing life-saving supplies to survive on the streets) -- which Engage and Change distributes each each to homeless people across the GTA. 

People can "book" one of the rentals through AirBnb (that is, donate to the organization via the link). 

While you're considering your vacation, also consider that this is as luxurious as it gets from some. 

Here's the link: www.airbnb.ca