Permanent sites for van dwellers could be created in Bristol to cater for the growing number of people living on the kerbside. Councillors will meet today (Friday, February 14) to discuss a series of recommendations aimed at helping those who want to move into bricks and mortar homes – and those who don’t.
The number of van-dwellers has more than quadrupled in the past five years with council figures estimating there were 150 spread across the city in 2019 and around 680 today.
But while some residents of affluent areas – such as the Downs – have seen them as a nuisance and demanded a crackdown, Cllr Barry Parsons, who chairs the homes and housing delivery committee, struck a more conciliatory tone.
“Too often, the debate around people living in vehicles has become polarised and stigmatising,” he said. “This report is an attempt to bring new thinking to bear on the issue, charting a way forward that supports the health and wellbeing of everyone, both those living in vehicles and their housed neighbours.
“As the number of lived in vehicles in Bristol has grown significantly in recent years the council recognises the challenges this brings. We acknowledge that this is a complex situation, and our current approach is not sustainable.”
Recommendations which will be put forward at today’s meeting include creating more “meanwhile” spaces where vehicle dwellers can stay with the help of facilities such as running water and chemical toilets while they work with the authorities to find a permanent home. Council officers also suggest a formal “Vehicle Dweller Voices” group is set up to represent the needs of those living in vans.
According to the report, it is hoped creating permanent sites would provide stability for long term vehicle dwellers, offering a postal address and acting as an “anchor point” for family support.
However, the council has already acknowledged it may have a fight on its hands to find a suitable location, with the report acknowledging: “Public reaction to the sites may not be positive and a consultation process will be needed.” Potential sites have not been published.
Cllr Parsons added: “We recognise that people live in vehicles for a variety of reasons. People living in vehicles can experience poor health and other vulnerabilities, and our focus must be on finding sustainable solutions and support options.
“However, if an encampment, or individuals within an encampment, start to have a negative impact on the area in which they live, we need to make sure we have a robust and clear policy for when we will take action.
“We want to start a real, direct and relevant conversation about vehicle-dwellers in the city. We want to reassure the city that we are taking the matter seriously and are taking a proactive stance on addressing issues.”