New London tower block ‘UK first’ is being built for women only – pledging refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

A new London tower block is believed to be the first in the UK to be built for women only, promising refuge for domestic abuse survivors.

Brook House has offered housing in Acton, west London, for more than 90 years – but a fresh rebuild has created 102 ‘genuinely affordable’ social rented flats in the block.

They are all set to be inhabited by women, picked from a mixture of Ealing Council’s housing waiting list with 600 women on it, and a list drawn up by housing association Women’s Pioneer Housing.

A ‘topping out’ ceremony celebrated the building reaching its maximum height although construction, conducted by L&Q, will not be completed until next summer.

Residents will move in soon afterwards, with the council and housing association hopeful the block will offer a ‘lifeline’ to women and domestic violence victims. 

Each home is expected to be available to rent for less than a quarter of the average price for an equivalently sized home in the private sector.

The estate replaces a 39-home building, first opened in the 1930s before more flats were added in the 1970s.

The block was deemed to be no longer fit for modern living and beyond the stage where refurbishment could turn things around – paving the way for the local authority to give the green light to a significant rebuild. 

Brook House in Acton, pictured in an artistic impression, is believed to be the first in the UK to be built for women only, promising refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

The London tower block, pictured, has offered housing in Acton, west London, for more than 90 years but a rebuild has created 102 ‘genuinely affordable’ social rented flats in the block

Resident board members, Women’s Pioneer Housing staff and Ealing Council staff pictured at a ‘topping out’ ceremony for the block

The estate replaces a 39-home building, pictured, first opened in the 1930s before more flats were added in the 1970s

Ealing has more than 8,000 families currently on a waiting list for a home. 

Locals have taken to social media to praise the initiative.

One said: ‘Great news! If I ever become a billionaire it’s my hope to build more of these. Specially for young working women. Women on housing lists or fleeing abuse aren’t the only ones in need of safe man free housing.’

Another added: ‘What an amazing project.’

A third posted: ‘I can understand the reasoning behind it, no-one should have to suffer abuse, be they a woman, man, or child, but what does it say about the way society in the UK has broken down? Britain is truly broken.’

But others have branded the decision to communicate that those living there have suffered from abuse ‘needless’ and questioned what would happen if residents had children while there.

One posted: ‘I understand creating a building for women, but mentioning that a lot of them will have experienced DV is needless. It tells predators that there’ll be an abundance of potentially vulnerable women in the building.’

Another said: ‘You are seriously missing the point here… I’m aware that Brooke House is not a shelter, and obviously nobody lives there yet as it is clearly still under construction. 

Locals have taken to social media to praise the initiative which will see residents move in next summer

But others have branded the decision to communicate that those living there have suffered from abuse ‘needless’ and questioned what would happen if residents had children while there

‘The point is that you have advertised the members of society who will be housed there. Therefore, your statement that you’re committed to women’s safety simply doesn’t add up…Also, what plans are there in place to house vulnerable and abused men?’

And a third added: ‘What about their male children? They’ll grow into men, and then what’s supposed to happen?’

Council leader Peter Mason revealed the flats would be reserved for women ‘disproportionately affected by crisis’, including domestic violence.

He told the BBC: ‘There is a big need for this type of specialist, women-only accommodation. Almost 3,500 cases of domestic abuse were recorded in Ealing in the last 12 months.

‘London’s affordable housing crisis disproportionately impacts women, who still face a gender pay gap that sees them on average earn less than men, constraining their ability to afford rent.’

Women’s Pioneer Housing has aimed to provide single women with access to ‘safe, secure, and affordable homes and services’ since it was established by suffragists in 1920.

It manages some 1,000 properties in west London, the majority being one-bedroom flats or studios situated in large converted Victorian or Edwardian buildings.

MailOnline has approached Ealing Council and Women’s Pioneer Housing for comment.