Work to build new homeless pods in Bristol underway

Work is due to begin on developing seven new one-bed small homes as Places for People expands its homelessness accommodation and support services for homeless people in Bristol.

Places for People have operated supported accommodation at Stonebridge Park for over 23 years providing support and accommodation to vulnerable homeless men.

The current accommodation offers 27 living spaces with on site support to help customers through their journey out of homelessness.

In September 2023, Places for People along with our delivery partner Agile Homes were successful in securing planning permission to build seven small self-contained modular homes on the existing site at Stonebridge Park, which will allow people to live independently with their own kitchen space, living area, bathroom and bedroom.

Work is now set to begin building the small homes, which will overlook the Clay Bottom Valley and Nature Reserve and they are due to be completed by October 2024. This comes after Places for People worked with the Hill Group and Bristol City Council to open 8 similar modular homes on Derby Street in January.

In addition to somewhere safe and stable to live, the facility also provides those living there with support around a vast number of complex issues which may have contributed to them becoming homeless such as mental health, domestic abuse, financial and drugs or alcohol. Support workers then help customers on their journey back into permanent accommodation.

Rachel Crownshaw, Group Managing Director for Communities at Places for People, said: “It’s really pleasing to see work begin on what is going to be such an important development. These modular homes will allow us to build on the great work we’re doing to support people in Bristol who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

“Really importantly, these new homes will provide people with somewhere to call home, where they can live independently, with their own front door and everything they need inside. In addition to this, we have support workers available who can work with those living here and give them support, advice and guidance as they get back on their feet and hopefully into more permanent accommodation.

“We have been supporting people who are homeless, or are at risk of being homeless, for many years. We work with young people, families, and single adults right across England and Scotland providing critical housing, support and services that aim to help those who are experiencing difficulties back into a more stable and secure situation. For example, we have provided over 200 supported accommodation properties across Bristol alone. Our country is in the teeth of a housing crisis, and we will continue to increase the support and services we provide to ensure we are doing as much as we can.”