Bristol City Council propose measures to "significantly reduce" the number of van dwellers
People in Bristol are being asked for their views on how the council should work with people living in vehicles across the city
Bristol City Council has launched a public consultation into a new policy, which aims to support van dwellers into more secure housing.
There are currently more than 600 vehicle homes in Bristol, up from 150 just five years ago.
The presence of van dwellers in Bristol has caused controversy, particularly around The Downs, where one of the largest encampments of vans has formed in recent years.
In a bid to reduce the number of vans and create stronger community cohesion, people in Bristol are being asked for their views on how the council should work with people living in vehicles across the city.
“Vehicle dweller numbers have grown in recent years, across Bristol and the whole country, and we are clear we cannot go on like this," said Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee
"Our communities, including vehicle dwellers themselves, deserve better."
What does the new policy look like?
The policy, which is still in the early stages of development, seeks to find safer alternative places for vehicle dwellers to live.
The council is looking to significantly reduce the number of people living in vehicles on highways and council owned land by providing stronger support networks.
Proposals include alternative housing provision, welfare advice and help finding ways to move into fixed accommodation.
The new support system would work alongside plans to build 250 council-owned pitches, known as "Meanwhile Sites", for vehicles to use on a temporary basis.
“We are working hard to achieve the best possible outcomes for everyone involved despite several constraints, including limited resources, lack of suitable land for Meanwhile Sites and the competing needs of diverse groups within the city," said Cllr Parsons.
“We need to be clear that once the policy is in place we will not be able to solve this issue overnight, and it will take time to meaningfully engage with people living in vehicles.
"However, with the right processes in place, we will be able to start offering real support to the people who need it, before moving to enforcement where necessary."
The consultation
The new policy has not been finalised yet, and the council are looking to hear from the public before reaching any conclusions.
The consultation survey will be open until midnight on Thursday 23 October and you can share your thoughts by clicking this link.