Statement to Cabinet Re.

Women Only Supported Accommodation

The Labour Group on Bristol City Council wishes to register its serious concern that the
process of re-commissioning services for supported housing for people with mental health
problems will lead to women being forced to share accommodation with men. There are
currently 36 beds in shared housing which are designated for women only. In the new
commissioning proposals, these beds will become available to both men and women. Many
of the women who experience mental health problems and use these facilities have
experienced domestic abuse and sexual trauma. Mixed accommodation would be entirely
inappropriate for them, and they would effectively find themselves being excluded from
these services because of this. This is yet another example of budget cuts hitting those who
are already the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society. The Group therefore calls
on the Mayor and Cabinet to intervene to ensure that women only accommodation is
retained within the supported housing service and that no future proposals are brought
forward to change this.
Estella Tincknell (Deputy Leader) on behalf of the Bristol Labour Group