January 09, 2015

How to host a family for WMoF 2015

By Bob McGovern
PhillyVoice Contributor

World Meeting of Families 2015/for PhillyVoice

Organizers of the World Meeting of Families 2015 are looking for local families to host attendees.

With as many as two million faithful expected in Philly for the visit of Pope Francis in September, and hotel rooms in a 10-mile radius of the city sold out since November, the question becomes: where will they stay with no room at the inn?

Your spare bedroom, organizers of the World Meeting of Families 2015 hope.

The archdiocese has partnered with Homestay.com to match up visitors and local families. If you would like to provide a bed to a pilgrim, you must register for free and complete a profile on the Homestay booking platform.

Visitors attending the event will soon be able to access the Homestay database to search for a host family that would be a good match for their accommodation needs. Visitors will have the opportunity early this year to correspond with a host family before committing to staying in their home.

Thousands and thousands of beds are needed, planners say.

The archdiocese has posted a FAQ and a video with more information.