Airbnb to provide 60 domestic abuse survivors with temporary accommodation
Airbnb has announced that they will be partnering with Women’s Aid to provide temporary accommodation to survivors fleeing abuse in London.
The platform is launching a pilot with the charity and City Hall to provide up to two weeks of free emergency accommodation for 60 survivors and their children.
When specialist emergency accommodation is not available, survivors will be connected to suitable accommodation listed on Airbnb in the capital through Women’s Aid’s member services.
To ensure their safety, Airbnb has also implemented a private booking flow that preserves the anonymity of those staying there.
Survivors will receive one-on-one support services during their stay, including legal advice, advocacy, translation and assistance with practical matters such as transportation through Women’s Aid.
“There is a chronic shortage of shelter for those fleeing abuse, and this pilot program bringing together the public, private and not-for-profit sectors will be a valuable opportunity for us to see the impact these collaborations can have,” said Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid.
“Systematic underfunding of specialist services unfortunately means that victims and survivors are turned away at a point of crisis when they are seeking support – there is a 60 per cent refusal rate in refuges.
“Collaborations like this will mean survivors now have options, rather than facing imminent homelessness or having to return to their abuser.”
Velma Cocoran, Airbnb’s director of policy strategy in Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “We’re in the home business and believe everyone deserves it. This partnership leverages the power of the Airbnb network to provide vital infrastructure to support survivors at a critical time.”
The Mayor is backing the new scheme, which follows a Manchester pilot launched last year, with up to £50,000 to match Airbnb’s £50,000 pledge.
A service working with Women’s Aid for domestic survivors involved in the Manchester pilot program said it offered a “much-needed alternative to traditional temporary accommodation”.
They said: “It has allowed us to safely house single survivors in environments that feel more personal, comfortable and supportive, helping many feel safe and valued in a time of crisis.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was “proud” to be working with Airbnb and Women’s Aid on the pilot project.
She said: “Partnership working is a key part of my strategy to tackle violence against women and girls and I am committed to continuing to work with partners to explore innovations to ensure survivors can access the care and support they need, as well as working with the Met to pursue the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.”
Last year, Independent launched the Brick by Brick campaign in partnership with the charity Refuge in response to the nationwide domestic violence crisis.
Thousands of women in the UK face danger in their own homes, yet are turned away from a women’s shelter every two hours due to lack of space.
Independent He heard testimonies from survivors and raised money to build two new safe homes in a campaign that has the backing of the Queen and prime minister.
