Green Councillors welcome housing policy changes following Barton House evacuation

Social housing tenants in Bristol who must leave their properties due to a “significant mass emergency event” will have greater priority getting rehoused, following changes to Bristol’s HomeChoice housing list system.

The changes will also give a higher priority to people whose health is significantly affected by current housing, and were approved unanimously by the Homes and Housing Delivery policy committee in September, chaired by Green Councillor for Easton Barry Parsons.

They were developed in response to Cllr Parsons’ and the Green-led administration’s commitment to review rehousing options for Barton House residents, following their evacuation in November 2023.

Both Cllr Parsons and local ward Councillors for Lawrence Hill Shona Jemphrey and Yassin Mohamud have been engaged in the development of the proposals.

Cllr Shona Jemphrey said; “This is really welcome news after years of uncertainty and upset for the Barton House residents who have been through such a traumatic event and need to move out of the block.

“Many families have told us that their mental health has been affected and they are struggling to sleep; children and young people are struggling academically as a result.

“This change in policy is after months of discussions, consultation, campaigning and residents’ meetings, and I thank officers, Cllr Parsons and everyone involved.”

“Cllr Yassin Mohamud and I have been pushing hard in every meeting we have attended for residents to be offered an uplift in HomeChoice. Advocating for these changes, as well as calling for an investigation – which has also been agreed – was one of our election promises and we are delighted that we have been able to deliver it.

Cllr Yassin Mohamud, “This change not only supports Barton House residents who are desperate to move out and get a new start but also prepares the council for if such an emergency event were to ever happen again.”

“Green Councillors were there supporting residents when they were evacuated, and we have been pushing hard since then for these changes. I hope this gives residents some reassurance, and we now await the results of the independent investigation to make sure that the way this was handled never happens again.”

• Report to the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee – 1 Report Homechoice allocation policy.pdf