Podcast explores housing issues in Bristol

Three special episodes of a podcast series, in collaboration with housing charity Shelter, reveal the true state of housing in Bristol.

The three episodes, entitled Home Truths, take their name from Shelter’s fair renting campaign. They form part of the podcast Held in Common, created by Bristol-based co-coordinator of The Network and freelance storyteller Polly Tisdall.

Stories and discussions are heard from individuals and organisations in Bristol who are working to improve their communities and build a better housing system.

“The series aims to capture a variety of experiences of home from different groups, organisations and individuals across Bristol,” explains Polly.

“At a time when, due to the pandemic, most people are spending a lot more time at home and housing situations are even more insecure than normal, this felt like a pertinent moment to shine a light on this issue.

“The Network project is all about bringing people together around things that they are passionate about, and people in Bristol are very passionate about their homes and the need for secure homes for everyone.”

 Listen to the podcast here: www.feeds.buzzsprout.com/1053694.rss

Alongside contributions from Shelter’s Home Truths campaign, the podcast also features representatives from Bristol Hospitality Network, an organisation providing accommodation to asylum seekers, and the Anchor Society, who support older people in Bristol.

The second episode of the three podcasts, Little Spiders, focuses on the collective action local people and organisations have been taking to improve their communities and create a better housing system.

A large mural by artist Benoit Bennett adorned Stokes Croft, revealing some ‘home truths’ about renting in Bristol. Photo supplied by Polly Tisdall

The name comes from an Irish folk tale about an old couple who rent a cottage from a wealthy landowner. As they become too old to work on the land, they are forgotten about and are left with a leaky roof and cracks in their walls.

“The old couple are renters – hearing the truth of their story through their own narrative creates empathy and speaks to us,” explains Owian from Shelter’s Home Truths campaign group.

Last summer the group ran a listening campaign, which engaged with private renters in Bristol and received 280 responses to their survey. They believe the responses can help to provide a detailed picture of the issues currently faced by private renters in Bristol.

One renter involved in the campaign, artist Benoit Bennett, painted a mural in Stokes Croft to highlight rental issues including discrimination and fear; and statistics such as the fact that, on average, private renters spend 50 per cent of their income on rent.

During the podcast, private renter Kate says that, while painting the mural, many people stopped to say they “totally agreed” with the mural and that they “were dealing with exactly the same issues”.

The campaign group is meeting regularly with renters on Zoom to build a community and work out together how they can make change to the housing system. Daisy Picking is the community organiser for Bristol Shelter who coordinates the renter-led campaign. “When we join together, that is how we create power to create change,” she says.

Main image supplied by Polly Tisdall

The first two episodes of the podcast are now available and the third will be released on February 22. Listen to the podcast by visiting www.buzzsprout.com/1053694

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