Bristol City Council to buy houses for the homeless thanks to £2.3m grant

Bristol City Council is planning to buy and refurbish 15 one-bedroom homes to help people at risk of sleeping rough.

The government has given the council a £2.3 million grant to purchase the properties as homelessness levels in Bristol are rising.

The homes will provide accommodation for young people and single adults who might otherwise have to sleep on the streets.

Council bosses believe purchasing their own properties is more “cost effective” than relying on temporary housing from private landlords.

The use of expensive temporary housing for homeless people is taking up an increasingly large chunk of the council’s budget — expected to be £11 million this year.

The new grant comes from the government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP).

Labour Councillor Tom Renhard, cabinet member for housing delivery and homelessness, said: “The impact of rough sleeping is huge, both physically and mentally, and the SHAP funding will help us improve people’s mental and physical wellbeing.

“Existing supported accommodation is oversubscribed, increasing the use of expensive temporary accommodation.

"This funding offers an opportunity to increase the supply of high-quality supported accommodation which is needed to help individuals recover from the root causes of homelessness and reduce rough sleeping in Bristol.”

The council is working with the Addiction Recovery Agency (ARA) and St Mungo’s to roll out the new homes, which will also provide support to future residents to help them “build the skills and confidence” to get back on their own feet.

More than 1,300 people in Bristol are staying in temporary housing, with many in expensive accommodation such as hotels or bed and breakfasts. Placing homeless people in hotels is costing the council almost £1 million this year.

Homelessness services at the council work with more than 2,100 people a year at risk of rough sleeping. This includes people sleeping rough long term, those leaving prison or hospital, and refugees and asylum seekers.

David Ingerslev, regional head of St Mungo’s, said: “This vital funding is a much-needed financial resource to better enable us to support people who have experienced rough sleeping, and help them rebuild their lives within our communities.”

Robbie Thornhill, director of recovery and resettlement at the Addiction Recovery Agency, added: “For over 35 years, ARA have been providing hope and better lives for the most vulnerable in society.

“We are delighted to be able to extend this further with a Bristol Housing First project and look forward to working with Bristol City Council on providing decent, permanent housing and bespoke wraparound support for those with multiple needs and a history of repeat homelessness.”

Credit: Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service