Hope into Action: Bristol
We believe everyone has a right to a home.
Homelessness in Bristol
The numbers of people sleeping rough in Bristol has decreased in recent years, due to the ‘Everyone In’ scheme during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. However, the number of people and households stuck in emergency temporary accommodation is at an historic high (1), and continues to rise because of the increase in the cost of living.
Hope into Action: Bristol is born
With the success of Homes not Houses, which was our call to action for the church in Bristol to partner with us to play our part in overcoming Bristol’s housing crisis, our focus is now on building on the momentum of Hope into Action: Bristol.
inHope was successfully granted a franchise of Hope into Action, who provide homes for the most vulnerable in society in partnership with local churches, and Hope into Action: Bristol was born. In 2022, Hope into Action: Bristol fostered a partnership with two churches: one in North Somerset, and another in South Bristol, who were both very keen to play their part in providing homes for homeless people. With the financial backing of investors, two houses were purchased in Portishead and Knowle West and refurbished to create two lovely homes. Volunteers from the churches were trained as befrienders and the first tenants were welcomed in October and early 2023.
We look forward to new church partnerships and more homes being opened in the near future.
Hope into Action: Bristol Referral Partners
Hope into Action: Bristol accepts referrals from individuals via local partners and churches. We work especially closely with established referral partners, which include inHope, SixtyOne, Changing Lives Charity, and Bristol Churches Shelter. These referral routes are so important because the partners will already be building relationships with those who need a home, and can provide ongoing support for the tenant, alongside the church team and empowerment worker. The team are seeking to increase the number of referral partners, especially in the areas where the homes are located.
https://bristol.hopeintoaction.org.uk/
1 (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness)
Get in Touch with Hope into Action: Bristol
If you are a church leader or Christian individual whose heart has been stirred by what you have read and want to know more about playing your part in overcoming Bristol’s housing crisis, please get in touch with Cathy for an informal chat.
You can find out more investing in a Hope into Action home here. If you would like to find out more about becoming an investor, Cathy would love to talk with you.
If you think you may be an appropriate referral agency, please get in touch with Cathy to talk through the practicalities.
Contact Cathy via email: bristol-inhope@hopeintoaction.org.uk
Sign up to emails: news, updates, and prayer requests
It’s really important to us to keep you up to date with how your support is helping people rebuild their lives after homelessness. As a managed activity of inHope, we will input into their monthly e-newsletter and prayer emails. You can sign up here.
We work with expert partners, including: Bristol Housing Festival and BBRC Homes.
