In 2003, Abigail fled Zimbabwe in fear. Her husband, who had openly opposed the violent and oppressive government of Robert Mugabe, had been murdered. Terrified for her own life she boarded a plane and landed in the UK where she went to stay with an old school friend. Due to a change in her friend's circumstances, Abigail became homeless in 2004, but found refuge with a project in Leeds which provided short term accommodation to homeless asylum seekers (LASSN).

Abigail made an asylum application. However, she was quickly refused because she had not claimed asylum at the earlies possible opportunity.

She was sitting in a LASSN host's kitchen when she received the news that her asylum appeal had been refused. Abigail asked "What am I to do? I cannot return home and the UK will not support me!"

Abigail Housing was born out of a desire by some LASSN volunteers to set up a service whcih provided for people in Abigail's situation, i.e. no recourse to public funds but long term housing needs.