Airbnb partners with women’s aid to support domestic abuse survivors in London

Airbnb has announced a new partnership with Women’s Aid to provide temporary accommodation for survivors fleeing domestic abuse in London.

The pilot programme, launched in collaboration with the domestic abuse charity and London’s City Hall, will offer up to 60 survivors and their children free emergency accommodation for as long as two weeks. Survivors will be connected to Airbnb-listed homes across the capital through Women’s Aid’s network of member services, in cases where specialist refuge spaces are unavailable, The Independent writes. 

To ensure safety and confidentiality, Airbnb has introduced a specialised booking system designed to protect the anonymity of survivors staying in its properties.

While in temporary housing, survivors will receive one-to-one support through Women’s Aid, including legal advice, advocacy, translation services, and assistance with transport and other practical needs.

“There is a chronic shortage of refuge spaces for those fleeing abuse, and this pilot, which brings together the public, private and non-profit sectors, will be a valuable opportunity for us to see the impact that these collaborations can have,” said Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid. “Systemic underfunding of specialist services has sadly meant that victims and survivors seeking support have been turned away at a point of crisis, with refuges operating a 60 per cent refusal rate. Collaborations such as these will mean survivors now have options, instead of facing imminent homelessness or being forced to return to the abuser.”

Velma Corcoran, Airbnb’s director of policy strategy for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “We’re in the homes business, and we believe everyone deserves one. This partnership uses the strength of Airbnb’s network to provide vital infrastructure to support survivors at a crucial time.”

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is backing the initiative with up to £50,000 in funding, matched by a £50,000 contribution from Airbnb. The scheme follows a similar pilot launched in Manchester last year.

A service working with Women’s Aid to house survivors described the project as a “much-needed alternative to traditional temporary accommodation,” adding that the Manchester trial “allowed us to safely accommodate single survivors in environments that felt more personal, comfortable, and supportive, helping many to feel secure and valued at a time of crisis.”

Khan said he is “proud” to support the collaboration:

“Partnership work 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, whilst also working with the Met to go after perpetrators of these heinous crimes.”

By Sabina Mammadli