The rise of homelessness within Bristol means that support is “vital” for services supporting those affected within the city. Recent figures have shown that the number of homeless people in Bristol has risen by 25 percent since the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020.
Statistics from Bristol City Council have shown that 817 people were sleeping rough in Bristol over the 2023-2024 period, a 17 percent increase on the year before. It has led councillors to agree a new five-year plan to tackle the rising levels of those living on the streets.
Facilities like hostels are spread across the city but the demand for these services means that more support is needed for temporary accommodation and for services to provide help to the most vulnerable. The service director at homelessness charity St Mungo’s, Helen Denyer, said: “Rough sleeping is harmful and dangerous and can be life threatening. We have seen rough sleeping is increasing in more parts of the country and especially in Bristol and now is the time to respond.
“The new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy focuses on early intervention and prevention, which is what we focus on at St Mungo’s. Our frontline teams and services are working to help as many people as possible day and night.”
The CEO of Help Bristol’s Homeless, Jasper Thompson, says that he hopes that more housing is dedicated to those sleeping rough and that services like the Help Bristol’s Homeless Village (HBHV) in Bedminster continue to be supported by the council and the public.
Mr Thompson said: “Homelessness has been on the rise gradually and it’s going to peak at some stage. The city is a very generous city and if you speak to guys who are street homeless and from outside Bristol, they’ll say they get lots here being in Bristol.
“We lack accommodation in Bristol, we’ve got lots of hostels but we need to do more as a city. I notice the council are planning to build a lot more homes but we’re hoping some of it will be allocated to the street homeless to ease the pressure. People have lost their jobs, people are out there struggling with mental health, so it’s difficult for everyone at this time of the year.
“It’s vital that these services are supported. I started this project by myself [in 2017] but now we’ve grown and now we need major support from the council to get the project recognised as something which is vital for homeless people in our city.”
“People just want somewhere safe and warm”
The HBHV supports 32 residents through temporary living accommodation where they can learn skills whilst they work. Services, such as the laundry room and shower room, are also open up to those living on the streets outside of the facility.
Mr Thompson adds: “I believe we provide a good service here with the wellbeing centre and we provide a laundry area. People on the street can use the services and shower, and cook for people on the street. We have a therapist who comes in [to the village] twice a week, we have someone who gives haircuts once a week, we help with DWP and benefits.
“We are hoping to remain in our Bedminster location and expand slightly and to build more homes. We would like to build 20 new homes in this location.
“The units are in big demand, we don’t have a waiting list. The services we provide within the project are very high in demand as currently it is cold and wet outside and people just want somewhere safe and warm to live and we provide just that.”
At Christmas time, it can be very “difficult” for those on the streets, however Mr Thompson said that the project is helping those without a place to go by hosting a big Christmas dinner for everyone.
He said: “We have a big Christmas meal for the residents and for those on the streets. Those who come in and do laundry or shower can sit down with us and enjoy a full-blown or vegetarian Christmas dinner and we also hand out a Christmas shoebox, which are gifts from people across the city which we’ve been collecting and donated to us.
“I’d like to say thank you to the public who’s nailed it for us this year with the shoeboxes and donating food. All I’d need from the Bristol community is to continue to support us, so we can continue to support as many homeless people as we can, but whenever you see someone on the street who are homeless, speak to them, have a conversation and ask them if they need anything to drink as it will see them through this winter period. It will make them feel wanted in this city.”
Want the latest Bristol breaking news and top stories first?Click here to join our WhatsApp group. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice.