Work has started to transform an unused building into 21 high-quality apartments for families experiencing homelessness in Bristol.  

• More than 2,100 households are living in temporary accommodation across Bristol. 
• Providing temporary accommodation for 21 families, helping to ease pressure on Bristol’s housing register (HomeChoice). 
• The project will bring wider benefits to the local Community, supporting local jobs, skills and businesses. 
• Reinforcing Places for People’s commitment to addressing housing need in Bristol, building on the recent delivery of 20 modular homes to support families experiencing homelessness. 

Work has started to transform an unused building into 21 high-quality apartments for families experiencing homelessness in Bristol.  

The UK’s leading social enterprise, Places for People (PfP), is turning the former South Bristol Intermediate Care Centre in Knowle into a range of one-three bedroom apartments to be used as temporary accommodation.  

Delivered in partnership with Bristol City Council and other local stakeholders, the PfP-funded scheme comes at a time of significant need for temporary accommodation in Bristol. 

Around 2,100 families are currently staying in temporary accommodation, without the stability or space they need to thrive. Bristol ranks third highest among England’s major core cities (outside London) for the rate of households placed in temporary accommodation, highlighting the ongoing demand for safe, appropriate places for families facing homelessness in the city. 

Alongside the new homes, the project is set to create local employment, work experience and training opportunities, while working with local suppliers and contractors.  

Families will also have access to the support they need, from healthcare and wellbeing services to training and employment opportunities, helping them move towards more stable, long-term housing. 

Contractor E.W Beard Ltd began work on site in early October and completion is expected towards late 2027 or in early 2028. 

Christine Candlish, Director of Living Plus at Places for People, said:  "This project is about more than bringing a vacant building back into use. It's about creating safe, high-quality homes for families at a time when temporary accommodation is needed more than ever. 

"We're proud to be working alongside Bristol City Council and our delivery partners to transform this building. By providing good-quality temporary accommodation, we can help people access greater stability while longer-term housing solutions are found.  

"We have a proud history of preventing homelessness in Bristol and this development further reflects our commitment to working with partners to address housing need and support people to thrive." 

At Fortfield Road in Bristol, PfP recently opened a new scheme of five two-bedroom modular homes, adding to 15 other modular homes it has in the city to support homeless families.  

Through its Space to Start campaign, PfP wants to work with more councils like it has with Bristol City Council to unlock unused public land and redirect some of the money spent on temporary accommodation into high-quality modular homes for people in need. 

Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of Bristol City Council’s Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said: “Every family deserves a safe place to call home, and while we support people to find housing, it is essential that the temporary accommodation available is high quality and meets people’s needs. 

“Through our partnership with Places for People, we are creating temporary accommodation that will provide families with a safe, secure and supportive place to stay. 

“With increasing numbers of households needing temporary accommodation, it is vital that families have access to homes that provide stability. We welcome the start of work on this important development and look forward to seeing the positive difference it will make for Bristol families.”