Hammersmith and Fulham deny plans to close domestic violence shelter
Hammersmith and Fulham council have clarified their plans regarding London’s only domestic violence shelter for gay and bisexual men.
It was previously reported that the council was considering closing the shelter when its contract ended in June. This would have left the nearest shelter to the capital that accepted men in Berkshire.
However, in a statement, Cllr Stephen Cowan said: “There are no, and have never been any, plans to close this important facility.
“We are proud that Hammersmith and Fulham Council has exclusively funded and is home to London’s only facility that serves as a refuge for gay men who are victims of domestic violence.
“Given the government’s austere cuts to the council’s budget, the authority proposes to seek more sustainable long-term funding arrangements, including asking other councils, the Greater London Authority and others to chip in and support this important project for Londoners.
“Council officials have been consulting those who use the service about how it works and fears around what this might mean have resulted in a false belief that the facility was under threat.
“The future of this facility is a political decision and this Labour administration underlines that it is not prepared to see it close – that was never an option for us.”
