London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan and short lets platform Airbnb are giving £50,000 each to a project to provide emergency accommodation for domestic abuse survivors in the capital.

The pilot will provide up to 60 survivors and their children with free emergency accommodation in Airbnb listed properties across London for up to two weeks. It will also ensure survivors receive essential one-to-one support services such as legal advice, advocacy and translation and help with practicalities like transport, through leading UK charity Women’s Aid, helping them to recover and move on with their lives.

Khan says: “I’m proud to be working with Airbnb and Women’s Aid on an innovative new pilot that will provide domestic abuse survivors, and their families, with free, emergency accommodation and the holistic support they need to recover and move forward. 

“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.”

Velma Cocoran, Airbnb director of policy strategy, adds: “We are proud to have launched our second emergency accommodation pilot in partnership with Women’s Aid and the Mayor, this time in the nation’s capital of London. 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 work that Women’s Aid do to support survivors of violence against women and girls is essential, and we hope this partnership helps them in achieving that mission and in keeping the communities we operate in safe.”