Homeless and looking for accommodation

Women's Refuges

If you are a woman experiencing domestic violence then there are refuges across the UK that can provide emergency accommodation for you and your children, if you have any.

If you do have children, or have any other "priority need" [see Council help for the homeless], then you can also apply for temporary accommodation to any Local Authority homelessness and advice section, not just Kensington & Chelsea.

RBKC Homelessness and Advice Section

Town Hall
Hornton Street
London W8 7NX

Tel: 020 7361 3008 Monday to Thursday 9am to 4.45pm, Friday 9am to 4.15pm

Tel: 020 7373 2213 for out of office hours emergencies

Fax: 020 7361 3718

You do not necessarily need to have a "local connection", indeed, many women choose to leave their local area for safety reasons.

Contacts for neighbouring Boroughs:

Westminster City Council
Tel: 020 7641 6000 Main switchboard
Tel: 020 7286 7412 Out of hours emergency number
Website: www.westminster.gov.uk

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Tel: 020 8576 5404 Homeless and Advice Service
Tel: 020 8748 8588 Out of hours emergency number
Website: www.lbhf.gov.uk

London Borough of Wandsworth
Tel: 020 8871 6848 Homeless and Advice Service
Tel: 020 8871 6000 Out of hours emergency number
Website: www.wandsworth.gov.uk

London Borough of Brent
Tel: 020 8937 2099 Homeless and Advice Service [ring after 1pm for appointment]
Tel: 020 8937 1234 Out of hours emergency number
Website: www.brent.gov.uk

If a Local Authority homelessness and advice section does provide you with temporary accommodation then, depending on your individual circumstances and what other legal rights you have, they may permanently rehouse you.

An alternative source of local authority help is Social Services who may be able to help, especially where there are children involved.

If you are a tenant of the TMO, or local Housing Association, then you should speak to your housing officer as they have policies to deal with such situations, which can include transferring you to other accommodation, or improving security.

Women's Aid Centres

There are two women's aid centres in Kensington & Chelsea who provide information, advice and support to women facing domestic violence.

For safety reasons the refuge accommodation is only for women from outside The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. They can, however, assist residents in obtaining emergency accommodation elsewhere.

Hestia Women's Aid
PO Box 14231
London W10 59P

Tel: 020 8960 4202
Fax: 020 8968 0902

Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 5.00pm.

Hestia's client group is women, with or without children, who are experiencing domestic violence. Hestia only accepts boys of 15 years or younger.

Hestia provides three services:

• A telephone information and advice service
• A limited community outreach support service for women living in abusive relationships
• Refuge accommodation for women from any area except Kensington & Chelsea

Eaves Women's Aid [Refuge only]

PO Box 26091
London SW10 0XH

Tel: 020 7351 6018 [emergencies only]

Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm. The refuge is open 7 days a week.

Eaves Women's Aid has replaced the previous Chelsea Women's Aid.

Information on refuges across London can also be obtained 24 hours a day from:

Refuge National Crisis Line 24 hours, 7 days a week
Tel: 0870 599 5443

Women's Aid Federation of England gives information for women facing domestic violence.

Website: www.womensaid.org.uk