You could do with defining 'zakatable project' for clarity. When seeking a fatwa on a particular issue, then if one wishes to obtain an absolute clear and conclusive answer if is better to be very clear and explain comprehensively. I would suggest writing down exactly how the zakah is used and whether it comes into ownership of the women who are eligible at any point. Overall, the project is fine, the women are destitute and therefore qualify, the only unclear aspect is whether they were made owners if the zakah money before it was used for the shelter. When representatives from madaaris in India, Pakistan etc come to the UK and collect zakah/ sadaqah funds fir their organizations, the money is first indirectly transferred to the poor students and then used to pay for their boarding fees. This 'heela' is what makes it permissble to give zakah. The organizations can't take zakah directly as an institute does not qualify to take a zakah directly. This is what the women's shelter need to do too. In the end, they will still get the money but the transfer process is what needs tweaking. @marco111, generally speaking (not referring to this case at all, but just stating the general ruling) if zakah is paid and the giver later finds out the recipient did not qualify to take zakah, the zakah is not fulfilled and it needs to be given again. If I remember correctly, this ruling is mentioned in Beheshti Zewar.