Directory:London:Hammersmith and Fulham:Ebony Sistren Housing Association

From EveryonesHome.org.uk

Ebony Sistren Housing Association Referral address

Ravenscourt House 123 Askew Road London W12 9AU Phone

020 8740 0220 Fax

020 8749 2203 Email

admin@ebonysistren.org.uk

Who the project is for ^ back to top Target group

Single homeless women aged 21-55 from black and ethnic minority groups with low-medium support needs, including women with or without children escaping domestic violence. Must have a connection to LB Hammersmith & Fulham. Will not accept

Those who require high levels of support from the project. People who have a history of incidents relating to violence, arson, harassment or theft. Those with no recourse to public funds. AgeMinimum 21 Maximum 55 Average 27

How to get in ^ back to top Referral procedure

Named agency referrals only. Phone, call in (9am-1pm, 2pm-5.30pm Mon-Fri) or write. Application form, which should include any relevant mental health or legal history. Referral agencies

14 bedspaces are RSI funded and referrals are made through the Clearing House. Otherwise only accept referrals from LB Hammersmith & Fulham. Vacancies

Infrequent. Operate a waiting list for some properties. Length of stayMinimum 4 weeks Maximum None Average 3 years

Staffing and support ^ back to top Support services

4 staff available at off-site office Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, visit residents at least weekly. 2 staff available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm at refuge with emergency on-call system. Keywork system with fortnightly meetings. Care plans with quarterly reviews. Staff provide help with forms, benefits advice, counselling and referrals to local services. From April 2008 some projects will offer no support. Health services

Health visitor and district nurse hold fortnightly surgery at refuge. Access to move-on

Staff help with referrals and move-on advice. Residents are registered with LB Hammersmith and Fulham and can bid for properties through Locata choice based lettings scheme. Follow-up support offered for 3 months. Accommodation ^ back to top Total spaces

45 In 5 sites, bedsits or 2-3 bedroom flats. Rooms (cost per week)

Single: 40 at £108.56-£142.10 Bedsit: 5 at Approx £120 Charges vary depending on property size and location. £7.11pw required from residents in receipt of benefits. FacilitiesFurnishings Rooms fully furnished. Baths 1 to 1-3 people Toilets 1 to 1-3 people Showers 1 to 1-3 people Laundry Yes TV No Other facilities Lounge in some properties. Food Self catering. Cooking facilities Up to 3 residents share each kitchen. Disabled facilities None.

Rules and policies ^ back to top House rules and tenure

No alcohol or smoking allowed on premises. Assured shorthold tenancy (licence agreement in the refuge). Resident access

Own key, no access restrictions. Visitors

Yes, up to 11.30pm. No overnight guests. Policies

Project for women from black and minority ethnic groups. User participation

Quarterly residents' meetings. Further information ^ back to top

Ebony Sistren was "set up to meet the particular housing needs of single homeless black and minority ethnic women and their families, especially those with special needs". It provides accommodation for 45 women in bedsits or 2-3 bed flats in Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea. It has a 5-bed refuge for women escaping domestic violence, special needs housing with low to medium support (including 14 RSI beds) and general needs housing where residents are expected to be more independent. Only Clearing House referrals are accepted for the RSI beds. Referrals for other spaces are only accepted from LB Hammersmith & Fulham. Public transport

Office: Hammersmith tube, then 266 bus.