Bristol Council had recently announced proposals to move tenants on more quickly after major emergency incidents. That’s why this new initiative is so important. The city has a substantial backlog of housing applications, which has particularly hurt the city’s most vulnerable residents. Currently, there are 22,000 active bidders on homes from these households. About 3% of them are actually in the highest priority, band one, category.
The council has proposed a new paradigm. Currently, social housing tenants displaced by a major mass emergency event will immediately increase one band level. This adjustment is intended to deliver some immediate relief to people who are displaced by disasters. When residents were evacuated from Barton House almost two years ago, many lives are still affected by that decision.
The council uses a 4-band system to place housing applicants in order according to their housing needs. The first band is made up of people experiencing the most urgent situations that need swift action. Band two includes people whose health or welfare condition is materially impacted by their housing circumstances. Recent council proposals moved Bouverie Court residents in Easton into band one. Soon after, they were notified that their homes would have to be razed.
Fadumo Farah, a resident and advocate for improved housing policies, expressed cautious optimism regarding the council’s new approach.
“It’s good news but I was hoping for better news because we have campaigned so hard for the council to listen to us.” – Fadumo Farah
She stated that the amendments represent a step in the right direction. She says not enough support is provided to people who continue to deal with the effects of past evacuations.
“They need to make more change. People that were evacuated due to structural issues or fires should go straight to band one, especially families with children.” – Fadumo Farah
Farah’s concerns underscore an important point. Today, most applicants are in band three, resulting in extended waiting times for housing that can reach over seven years.
“In Barton House we have a lot of residents that are in band four and they will go to band three – which takes over seven years to be rehoused so there is no win there for those residents.” – Fadumo Farah
Bristol Council’s decision is a direct response to a sustained criticism that they have mismanaged housing emergencies. A report published in February described the situation as “an exceptional case of failure and neglect which must be addressed to avoid further harm and suffering.”
The council’s work improves regional readiness for emergencies. These proposals demonstrate a powerful vision to further expand housing access for our nation’s most vulnerable. Housing allocations still mostly focus on bands one and two. This targeted approach helps get the assistance most needed to those with the greatest need, and most quickly.
