Rental price rise sparks surge in van-dwelling community

The plan to move one of British’s largest van-niwas communities is going on amid growing tension with those who live nearby.

At least 60 caravan and the van are parked around Durdham below, as the increasing number of people can no longer tolerate Bristol’s fare prices. But some Clifton residents said that the beauty spot had problems with garbage and human waste.

Rising cost of life Make the situation worseIn 2020, with the number of people choosing to live in vans across the city from 680 to 680 in 2020.

The Bristol City Council has announced proposals to create a permanent site for van-dwellers in another part of the city, which can be the first of its kind in the country.

60 -year -old Dave Knight, four years ago, moved into an old removal van on Downs.

He said: “The work stopped (and) I was small on money. I could not pay rent at my three-bedroom house in Derley.”

Another person who decided is the best option to live in a vehicle is Jane, who said that he has adopted lifestyle for financial reasons.

“I have paid more than £ 100,000 in my time in my time and bills,” he said. “I’m just paying hostage of someone else.

“The only thing that was getting financially with me, I was getting more in debt.”

A builder, who did not want to name, lives in a caravan that he bought for £ 500.

He told the BBC: “I ran out of money, I was nowhere. I was living in my car when he refused my application for a council house.

“I work, I am always working. I build houses in which I can’t live.”

On 26 March, so many people tried to attend a meeting on the issue that many were unable to go inside the church of St. Alban in Redland.

Conducted by SNEYD Park Residents Association, many people took a chance to protest the policy of the city council, which is not yet to transfer the majority of the people living in the van.

Resident Sharon Scott said: “(AS) local residents, we are angry. We are angry that the council has not taken any action.

“Downs were left to the Bristols. It is a place of natural excellent beauty and it is no longer.

“As a resident I don’t come down anymore. I look at the garbage, we hear about noise and anti -social behavior.”

Discussing the ability to move forward, Van-resident Flora Sidebottam said they have been evicted nine times in the last one year.

He said, “Every eviction, which I causes trauma and disbelieves around the right figures and the way you are going to work,” he said.

“It makes it difficult to participate in (and) It negatively impacts mental and physical health and good.

“If you are already making a source of your wood and water, suddenly you are wondering where you are going ahead, and you are also trying to participate in work and your relationships are under stress with people around you.

“It seems that it is coming from all angles.”

The council has recognized the increasing need to offer alternative housing and is now looking to find a permanent site for the van-Nivas.

“This is an example that I think in such a way that we are really a pioneer in this field,” said Councilor Barry Parsons.

“We are looking to find a long -term solution for an issue that is a challenge in the whole country.”

He said that many people living in the van have “the number of health weaknesses and mental health needs”.

Mr. Parsons said that that is why the council has decided to promote its outreach and support for the people living in the van.