Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of gender or sexuality, and can include a wide range of behaviours. It can be perpetrated by family members, including stepfamily or in-laws, current or ex-intimate partners, or by someone who you have a child with.
It can include physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, emotional, economic abuse, and controlling and or coercive behaviour, and could be one incident or a pattern of incidents or behaviour.
There are several housing options you have if you are experiencing domestic abuse, what's best for you will depend on your circumstances and the risk to you.
Hammersmith & Fulham housing services will work with you and any domestic abuse services to meet your housing needs and keep you safe in line with our domestic abuse policy.
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Help in an emergency
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and it is unsafe for you to remain where you are and you have nowhere else to go, contact your local housing officer or the assessment and prevention services on 020 8753 4321, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm so that we can provide you with immediate assistance.
Outside of these times, you can call 020 8753 4200.
You can also visit 145 King Street, W6 9JT between the hours of 9am to 5pm for assistance if you are homeless on the day.
If you are in immediate danger, dial 999.
Support for council tenants
As a council tenant you should speak with your housing officer if you are experiencing domestic abuse. They can provide you with support and advice about your housing options, and refer you to specialist services if you want this. We won't share information with the person causing you harm without your consent.
As a council tenant you could access:
- Sanctuary schemes to improve the security of your home
- Management transfer to move to an alternative address
- Reciprocal schemes, such as the pan-London reciprocal, or homeswaps
- A refuge or other temporary accommodation
- Support to access protective measures such as legal orders
- Support to end a joint tenancy and access a sole one
Perpetrating domestic abuse is never acceptable and is a breach of Hammersmith and Fulham's tenancy agreement. In some circumstances we can take action against the person causing you harm to remove them from your home. We would only do this with your permission unless there are exceptional circumstances, like a risk to public safety.
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Support to stay safe at home
If you're experiencing domestic abuse, there are several protective measures that can be put in place to enable you to keep safe at home and within your local support network. These are not emergency measures, so you should think about your immediate safety and any risk to you if staying at home and consider if you might need to access interim accommodation while other protections are put in place.
Some options include:
- Sanctuary schemes - these are additional protective measures available for residents of the borough to put in place on your home such as enhanced locks on doors or windows, fireproof letterboxes, enhanced security doors, sanctuary rooms and other security measures tailored to your safety needs. They are open to all residents regardless of tenancy type, but you would need permission from your landlord. You can be referred for sanctuary scheme installation by a professional such as your housing officer, or self-refer by calling the Angelou service.
- Occupation orders – these orders can be applied for by someone experiencing abuse within their home from someone they live with, if you have a right to live in the home. They can order the person causing you harm to leave the property for a period of time or indefinitely.
- Transfer of tenancy orders - these orders enable a judge to transfer a tenancy into your name. They can be applied for by joint tenants or by you as a sole tenant provided you have tenancy rights.
If you are staying safe at home, you may want to consider additional protections such as legal orders or police involvement.
Accessing refuge
If you are fleeing domestic abuse refuge accommodation may be the most suitable option. Refuge is housing shared with other people who have experienced domestic abuse and need a safe place to stay. Refuges have support workers in house who can help you to find long term, settled accommodation, recover, and keep safe.
You can access a refuge space by calling:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. The line is open 24/7
- Hestia's refuge referral line on 0808 169 9975 or email at refuge.space@hestia.org. Monday – Friday, 10am - 4pm.
- The Angelou service on 0808 801 0660, Mon-Fri 10am-4pm & Wed 6pm-9pm or on 0800 059 0108, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm & Thurs 8am-6pm
If you have a domestic abuse support worker, or an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA), they can also support you to find a refuge space. Refuge might not be suitable if you have older male children, immigration issues, or have additional support needs such as issues with substance use or severe mental health needs.
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Support for people who are homeless because of domestic abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and it isn't safe for you to stay at home and you have nowhere else to go, you are considered homeless. All councils have a duty to support eligible applicants who are homeless because of domestic abuse, and you should be considered in priority need for accommodation support.
You can approach any council in the country for homelessness assistance if you are fleeing domestic abuse, regardless of if you have a local connection or not, and it is unlawful for you to be referred to an area where you might be at risk. You do not have to apply to your local council, and a council cannot refuse to take an application from you because you are a local resident. Most councils will have information on how to apply as homeless on their websites. You don't need to have reported any incidents to the police to be able to make a homeless application.
You can only pursue one application for homeless assistance, so consider the safety of the area you wish to approach before you apply. You may also wish to consider the average cost of private rents and cost of living in the area you apply to. Most councils can provide assistance to help you settle into a new area or advise you of agencies or charities that can support you with resettlement.
If you are homeless because of domestic abuse and want to apply to Hammersmith and Fulham, contact 0208 753 4321 and press option 4 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm so that we can provide you with immediate assistance. Outside of these times you can call 0208 753 4200. You can also submit our online contact form or attend 145 King Street, W6 9JT between the hours of 9am-5pm for assistance.
If you are making an application, you will need:
- A copy of your ID, such as a passport, residency card etc
- 3 months bank statements
- Any information on benefits you are in receipt of
You can still submit an application without these, so it's okay if you don't have them or if it isn't safe for you to get them. It does help if you have a support worker who can help you with your application.
You may be considered ineligible for assistance if you do not meet certain immigration conditions. Your full eligibility will be assessed as part of your application. If you are not eligible for housing assistance, see 'Support for people with insecure immigration status or NRPF'.
Temporary accommodation
If you have nowhere to stay and are homeless, eligible and in priority need, you could be offered temporary accommodation. If temporary accommodation is provided, it must be suitable for you and not in an area where you are at risk.
It's important that you tell us all areas that you might be at risk in when you make an application or request temporary accommodation.
Due to the availability of affordable accommodation within Hammersmith & Fulham, it is unlikely that temporary accommodation will be in the borough, and could be in neighbouring boroughs and across London.
If you are currently living in temporary accommodation and need to contact your temporary accommodation officer, their details should have been provided to you during your tenancy sign up. Alternatively, contact the temporary accommodation team on 020 8753 4008 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
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Support for people with insecure immigration status or no recourse to public funds
People who have insecure immigration status or No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) may find it harder to access housing support. Due to housing legislation, the local authority is limited in the housing support we can provide with people who are not eligible for public funds. If you are homeless and experiencing domestic abuse but have NRPF you can still apply for assistance and we will always provide you with advice, or refer you to a specialist service that can support you.
If you have children or are an adult with care and support needs, the local authority may be able to provide you with accommodation through adult or children's social care.
Local specialist support services:
- Angelou – 0808 801 0660 Mon to Fri 10am to 9pm and til 9pm on Weds, or 0800 059 0108 Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm, and from 8am on Thursdays.
- IKWRO Women's Organisation (Middle East, North African & Afghan Women only) – 0207 920 6460 Mon to Fri 9:30am to 5:30pm info@ikwro.org.uk
- Al-Hasinaya (Moroccan and Arabic speaking women only) – 0203 048 4488 contact@al-hasaniya.org.uk
National specialist support services:
- Southall Black Sisters – 0208 571 9595 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm info@southallblacksisters.co.uk
- Nrpfnetwork.org.uk (available for male victims with NRPF)
If you are on a spousal visa and experiencing domestic abuse from your spouse, you may be able to access public funds for up to 3 months while you apply for settled status. This is called Migrant Victims Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) and you can apply directly through the home office. You will need to complete a separate form to apply for settled status.
You should seek advice from an immigration solicitor or from a specialist service before placing an application, as applying for MVDAC replaces existing leave entitlements and if you don't then apply for settled status you could be liable for removal from the UK.
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Local support services
Support for women
Angelou
For local support, you can contact the Angelou service online, via email, or by calling:
0808 801 0660
Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Wed 6pm-9pm
Translators available
OR
0800 059 0108
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Thurs 8am-6pm
Translators available
Integrated domestic abuse services
If you have a housing adviser, are open to children's social care or early help, or have reported domestic abuse to the police, there are integrated domestic abuse services that can support you. Just ask your child's social worker or family practitioner, your housing adviser, or the police officer in your case.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
If you are experiencing domestic abuse you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at any time on 0808 2000 247. You can also chat to them online. Remember to use private browsing or clear your search history if you're using a shared computer.
Specialist services
IKWRO Women's Organisation (Middle East, North African & Afghan Women only) – 0207 920 6460 Mon-Fri 9:30am to 5:30pm info@ikwro.org.uk
Al-Hasinaya (Moroccan and Arabic speaking women only) – 0203 048 4488 contact@al-hasaniya.org.uk
Galop (Support for LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic abuse of all genders) – 0800 99 5428
Support for male victims
Men's Advice Line – 0808 801 0327 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Victim Support – 0808 168 9111 24/7 Live Chat