At a glance
• A £100,000 pilot scheme in London will offer emergency Airbnb accommodation to up to 60 women and children fleeing domestic abuse, addressing the severe shortage of refuge spaces.
• The initiative is jointly funded by the Mayor of London (£50,000) and Airbnb (£50,000), with Women’s Aid providing legal advice and recovery support to victims during their stays of up to two weeks.
• The scheme forms part of the Mayor’s broader strategy to combat violence against women and girls, aiming to provide immediate safety, long-term prevention through education, and stronger pursuit of offenders, while showcasing cross-sector collaboration to fill gaps in refuge provision.
