housing and homelessness

An illustration of various sizes of houses and towers with giant overdue and reminder letters sprouting between them

Reports

Council still hounding people with bailiffs after ‘ethical’ approach promise

The Cable has uncovered evidence Bristol City Council is referring thousands of council tax debts to enforcement agencies despite a stated policy to do so only as a last resort.

‘Bristol’s council housing failings are shocking – but are just the tip of a massive national iceberg’

Watchdog finds ‘serious failings’ after concluding council does not know what state its housing is in

Cable Community News

#Cable10Years: three campaigns the Cable fought and won

For our 10th birthday we're collecting some of our best work. Here we highlight some campaigns the Cable has run to improve people's lives in the city, and how you can help us continue by supporting our work.

Woman standing on an outside landing of high-rise flats

Reports

‘This is long overdue’: campaigning high-rise residents promised action to improve their homes

Features

‘Prison felt safer than the streets’: why women’s homelessness needs to be better understood

Revealed: Building owner ‘abandons’ leaseholders trapped in unsafe Brislington flats

Orchard House residents took matters into their own hands to force the building owner to carry out remediation works, under powers brought in after the Grenfell tragedy. But as the legal deadline nears, little progress has been made.

Inclusive or exclusive: can community-led housing schemes provide for people most in need?

In recent years Bristol has seen the development of several new community-led housing schemes, which are often driven by small resident groups – but also aim to house people in need of a social home. How is the model working out – and with funds shrinking, does it have a future?

Bristol rogue landlord rented out room despite banning order, tenants say

Naomi Knapp was prohibited from renting out her properties to new tenants in 2022, but the Cable has uncovered evidence to suggest she brought in new tenants anyway.

‘I can do action’: cafe owner who organised tower block evacuation response aiming to be councillor

When she heard Barton House was being evacuated in November, Cafe Conscious owner Deniece Dixon got to work helping families who had become homeless. Two months on, she explains why she’s set her sights on City Hall

Exclusive: Banned rogue landlord under council investigation for listing properties on Airbnb

Holiday lettings firm removes listings after Cable investigation uncovers evidence showing Naomi Knapp's homes have been available to let on its website, via a third party.

Bristol raises £10k for Barton House residents in 48hrs

A Cable crowdfund to support the residents of Barton House is 1,200% funded - and counting.