£23m Investment Helps 530 People Move into Sustainable Homes in Bristol

A major investment of £23 million into homelessness property funds has helped house 530 people in Bristol, offering a lifeline to those previously living on the streets or in temporary accommodation.

The initiative, spearheaded by social impact investor Resonance, has seen 136 properties purchased and refurbished across the city, including in Southmead, Henbury, Bedminster, and Fishponds. These homes provide long-term, secure accommodation, reducing reliance on short-term housing and shelters.

The project is a collaboration with Developing Health & Independence (DHI), a Bristol-based charity that provides wraparound support to tenants. Through personalised assistance with mental health, addiction recovery, employment, and social reintegration, individuals are given the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

Darren Jones, MP for Bristol North West and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, recently visited one of the properties to see firsthand how the scheme is making a difference. During his visit, he met Bruno, a former rough sleeper who has turned his life around after moving into a Resonance-funded home last September.

“It was inspiring to meet Bruno and see how social impact investing can change people’s lives,” said Darren Jones MP. “This government is committed to creating the right environment for impact investment to unlock its potential for individuals and communities, here in Bristol and elsewhere around the country.”

For Bruno, the transition has been life-changing. After years of homelessness, poor mental health, and drug dependency, he is now in stable accommodation and working towards a better future. With DHI’s support, he has begun volunteering at FareShare, a UK charity that redistributes surplus food to those in need. He has also taken up cooking classes and forest group activities, helping him reconnect with the community.

Daniel Brewer, CEO of Resonance, explained the wider impact of the fund:
“Bristol has the highest rate of homelessness in the South West. Meanwhile, councils are under growing financial pressure, spending billions on temporary accommodation. We need new solutions—our homelessness property funds are helping to provide safe, affordable housing while reducing costs for local authorities.”

Through investment from pension funds and local authorities, Resonance is acquiring and upgrading properties across the UK, ensuring they are energy-efficient and well-maintained before leasing them to housing associations and charities.

For charities like DHI, the combination of housing and support is crucial. Rosie Phillips, CEO at DHI, added:
“Bruno is proof of what is possible when people have a stable home. We’ve seen time and time again that when people are given the right environment, they can thrive.”

With housing pressures growing across the South West, projects like these demonstrate how social investment can help address homelessness and provide long-term, sustainable solutions.