Bristol City Council is moving dozens more people in urgent need of housing into a controversial converted office block in south Bristol – but admits it is “not ideal”.
The local authority struck a deal last year with Caridon Property Group to give hundreds of people who are homeless or in temporary accommodation a permanent roof over their heads.
Cabinet members expressed reservations in September when they approved the contract to nominate tenants into 216 of the properties at Imperial Apartments in Whitchurch, formerly a council office building called Parkview Campus.
Caridon turned it into homes without the need for planning consent under permitted development rights, which meant the usual regulations stipulating minimum sizes did not apply.
Now the council has agreed to take on a further 100 flats under phase two of the project to house more families, despite members admitting they remain “wary” of the situation and an officers’ warning that no child over five should live at the two-bed units created in the first phase.
Cabinet member for women, families and homes Cllr Helen Godwin told a council meeting on Tuesday (March 9) the decision was “just as complicated and difficult” as it was in September.
She told the cabinet: “Bristol has a severe lack of housing and a visible homeless issue. So while we continue to have a wary approach to Imperial Apartments and to the management of the site, we are recommending that we take on a further 100 apartments at the development.
“The belief is, frankly, that it’s better for tenants and the community for Bristol City Council to have a close relationship with the complex so we’re on hand to support tenants in their needs and the establishment of their tenancies.
“We’ve also factored in a number of additional resources to support residents.”
Cllr Godwin said these included a lettings negotiator to ensure the resident matched the property, a welfare rights advice worker and a security officer.
“We’re also allocating a small fund to help tenants get started in their new home, so that‘s potentially a contribution to furniture or appliances which has proven to be a really successful offer to residents in phase one.
“It’s really important to note all those nominated for a tenancy in phase two will be able to live independently and without support.
“In our negotiations with Caridon we are asking them to adopt the same principle with the remaining units to ensure the community is safe and stable for all who live here.”
She said the council would nominate tenants from emergency or temporary accommodation, people able to move on from supported accommodation and those on the housing waiting list.
“This decision shines a light on the complexities of our housing challenges in Bristol.” Cllr Godwin said.
“We’ve had a really stark decision to make which is essentially we need more homes, we need space for people to move on from temporary and emergency accommodation and there is a real shortage of that.
“So although this isn’t an ideal solution and one I don't think any of us would have taken as a first choice, it’s essential we’re able to take up this offer and to work as closely with the management of the complex as possible to try to create the best possible environment for the people we place in the housing.”
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said: “Sometimes you’ve got to take the best that’s available to you and that’s not necessarily the best you would have wanted in an ideal world.”
Caridon has been subject to two BBC investigations, by Panorama and Newsnight, in the last two years because of alleged conditions at similar buildings it converted into flats in Harlow, including crime, substance abuse, cramped living and some windowless rooms.
In a speech to Parliament in February last year, MP Robert Halfon branded the situation “human warehousing” and “social cleansing” and demanded urgent government action to stop vulnerable families living in “ghettos”.
Responding to the Panorama probe aired earlier that month, which featured two properties Caridon owns and manages, the firm said its accommodation was built and managed to the highest standard.
The company said: "Secret filming took place and specific allegations were made against certain members of our staff regarding tenant privacy, security and reporting procedures.
"We take these issues extremely seriously and were disappointed with the footage and some of the views expressed.
“We are grateful to Panorama for bringing them to our attention and as soon as we were made aware of them we instigated an internal disciplinary investigation.
"Caridon does not tolerate criminal and antisocial behaviour of any kind at any of its buildings. We act robustly and swiftly when made aware of such issues.”
