Who Bristol's vehicle dwellers are, where they live and how we support the community.
What a vehicle dweller is
A vehicle dweller is someone who lives in a vehicle, on a temporary or permanent basis, as their primary or only residence.
This can include:
- people living in converted vans, caravans or motorhomes
- individuals experiencing homelessness who use vehicles as shelter
- travellers or nomadic communities
Vehicle dwellers are not the same as Ethnic Travellers (Gypsy Roma Travellers).
People live in vehicles for different reasons.
These include:
- a lack of affordable housing
- moving on from street homelessness
- moving around for work
Vehicle dwellers are a developing community. The number of vehicle dwellers in Bristol has grown significantly in recent years, bringing new challenges with it.
Where Bristol's vehicle dwellers live
Bristol has about 640 to 680 lived-in vehicles in the city.
These are on:
- council operated meanwhile sites
- the kerbside
- private sites
- squatted encampments
Meanwhile sites
A meanwhile site is an area of our land that is vacant and awaiting future development. Pitches on these sites are temporary and provide a safer alternative to living kerbside.
These sites have limited facilities.
Site provisions include:
- fresh water
- chemical toilets and sewage waste disposal
- waste bins
Sites do not have electrical supply.
The different meanwhile sites have between 10 and 20 pitches and are available for a few months to over a year. There is no guarantee how long a site will be available for, or that an alternative pitch will be offered when the occupant's current site closes.
Vehicle dwellers must apply for a pitch on a meanwhile site and sign a site licence.
Pitch fees are charged on a weekly basis to cover the cost of facilities and site management.
Pitches on meanwhile sites are limited, but we are looking to provide more.
Apply for a pitch on a meanwhile site
Our new approach to vehicle dwelling
We are developing a new Vehicle Dweller Policy for Bristol, which will be taken to Homes and Housing Delivery Committee in December 2025 for a decision.
We understand that the current situation is not sustainable and so we’re taking a proactive stance.
The new policy will:
- guide our approach to vehicle dwelling in the city
- balance offering support to vehicle dwellers with the needs of the local community
- refresh the way vehicle dweller encampments are managed, by being more clear about how and when action will be taken
We aim to encourage vehicle dwellers towards housing pathways and designated sites, and support them to move on from living on the highway.
We will launch a public consultation in September 2025 so that we can hear from everyone affected, including vehicle dwellers and members of the local communities around encampments.
Support for vehicle dwellers
Health care
The vehicle dweller community often find it difficult to access health services, but anyone can register temporarily at a GP practice without having to provide an address.
Housing advice
We have help and advice with housing if vehicle dwellers have concerns about their situation.
Debt advice
Find information about the support we offer for money and debt problems.
Support organisations
Support for victims of racism, harassment and discrimination (SARI)
SARI provide free and confidential support to victims of racism, harassment and discrimination.
Contact hello@saricharity.org.uk
GR8T+ Bristol
GR8T+ provide an independent voice for the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller community, plus anyone from an ethnic and cultural Traveller background. Run by Ethnic and Cultural Travellers, they represent the needs of the GR8T+ community in various forums and events.
Contact this group through SARI.
Friends family travellers (FFT)
FFT support individuals and families with the issues that matter most to them, and work to transform systems and institutions to address the root causes of inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, and vehicle dwellers.
Contact FFT on their website.
Report an unauthorised encampment
How to report an unauthorised encampment and what we'll do.