Tower block residents backed by housing chair in major milestone

Tower block residents are claiming a significant victory in their campaign to be rehoused from Barton House because they do not feel safe in their homes.

A leading Bristol city councillor in charge of housing has publicly backed their demands.

Many families were left traumatised by the sudden evacuation of the high-rise by Bristol City Council last November.

Tenants, who are members of community union ACORN, demanded to be moved out permanently just days after the local authority declared a major incident amid concerns a fire in a single flat could cause the building to collapse.

They also requested compensation for the financial and health impacts of the evacuation.

When residents were told in February that the block was safe following a series of structural surveys, many did not want to go back but were warned by the council that they faced homelessness if they did not.

It led to a souring of relations between ACORN and the then-Labour administration, with the campaign group regularly disrupting council meetings and confronting mayor Marvin Rees and cabinet lead for housing Councillor Kye Dudd at the tower block in Barton Hill and at the hotel where they were temporarily housed.

Green councillors, who were then the main opposition group, backed their demands by signing an open letter.

Now, for the first time since the authority has been led by the Greens following May’s local elections, the chairman of the homes and housing delivery policy committee, Barry Parsons, has reconfirmed his support for them to be found new homes.

ACORN member and Barton House resident Fadumo asked at the meeting on Friday, September 20: “What happened to the promises that were made to rehouse Barton House residents or to give them band one priority for those people who don’t feel safe to stay in Barton House?”

Parsons replied: “I’m on record as saying that I believe that urgent rehousing for Barton House residents would be appropriate, would be a good thing.

“However, as an elected member and chair of this committee it’s not my role to make priority decisions about individual cases, so that is really something for us to discuss with officers.

“I’ve asked for a paper to be shared with myself and with the residents of Barton House as well, so that paper will be shared and we’ll be having further discussions about that.”

In response to mum Fadumo’s question about compensation, Parsons said: “There’s not currently a compensation scheme, but it is something that I and my Green colleagues pledged to try to make happen as a pre-election pledge.

“We haven’t advanced that yet but I’m in conversation with officers and we will be receiving a report on what further options are available to support Barton House residents and we will be sharing that report with you and the other residents.

“It is a very difficult situation and with the other challenges we have at the moment our real key priority right now is making sure residents who live in our homes are safe and have decent homes, so that’s our core priority but this hasn’t been forgotten.”

After their evacuation earlier this week @ACORN_Bristol’s comms officer was asked by members & residents of Barton House to represent them & try to question the Mayor. Instead he was assaulted by security.

Meanwhile Marvin Rees found time to blame ACORN for the lack of progress! pic.twitter.com/FEhlMUARtH

— ACORN the union (@ACORNunion) November 17, 2023

Fadumo said afterwards: “With this renewed commitment to rehouse us from Barton House, our children can finally sleep without fear, focus on their childhood, their education, and grow into strong adults who will one day give back to the community.

“We ACORN members from Barton House have fought for a long time for this despite the previous administration treating us appallingly.

“It’s been a tough fight, but as mothers we stand strong for our children.”

Main photo: ACORN

Read next:

• Evacuated block of flats could be knocked down and replaced
• Former Green Party candidate arrested after fire alarms go missing at Barton House
• Council warned about Barton House structural issues in August 2022