Squats - adopting a better approach
Kinga is a member of Independent Futures and one of our consultants with lived experience. In this blog, she makes the case for a different approach to tackling squats and the housing shortage in Bristol.
Squatting as an alternative lifestyle has existed in our lovely city for a while. The alternative living scene is one of the few qualities that attracted me to Bristol.
Reasons for squatting are many. For some, it’s a way of living outside society, but for others, it’s the only way to have a roof above theirhead and a warm bed at night. The nation’s affordable housing shortage and the current cost of living crisis create a gap in housing provision for those already or at risk of sleeping rough.
At the same time, the city has many commercial buildings that sit empty and could provide much needed shelter for those who need it.
I would like to see our city explore options whereby squatters would be allowed to occupy empty commercial premises and create new spaces where the homeless can find shelter. These could become vibrant cultural centres too where resident communities organise public events like gigs or open mic sessions. By legalising squats (within certain parameters), Bristol City Council could resolve some of its emergency accommodation crisis.
In many instances, I believe abandoned buildings would benefit from occupation by squatters who would care for the building and provide essential maintenance while residing there. This could be a win – win situation for all involved.
Other cities and countries take innovative approaches when it comes to squatting. For example, the Netherlands appoints “guardians” to empty buildings who are allowed to reside there in return for payingvery cheap rent.
I would like to explore other policies in future blog posts. But for now, I would like to open a discussion on how we could legalise squatting in Bristol and provide accommodation to those in need and our city’s vibrant alternative communities.
In my next blog post, I will delve into Bristol’s rich history of squatting. I will take a closer look at how squatters run the alternative life in our magical city.
In the meantime, let’s keep celebrating all that makes Bristol the unique and amazing city that it is.