Large Bristol home for addiction recovery, Wick House, is for sale, raising resident concerns about displacement.
Bristol’s housing leader asks buyers to think of the residents. Wick House is a big property being sold after 25 years. Its future as a home for vulnerable people is uncertain.
Wick House is an old mansion in Brislington. SHARE runs it now, housing people recovering from addiction.
In the past, Wick House had problems. There were investigations into living conditions, and overcrowding and deaths were issues. The local MP helped change laws then.
The city worries about everyone leaving at once. This could happen after the sale.
Wick House has 43 bedrooms. An auction is set for March 12, advertised “with vacant possession.” The buyer could want it empty soon, and residents might need to leave by June.
No one at Wick House spoke about the sale. City leaders are concerned, saying the owners did not tell them. The council is preparing for the sale.
Council member Barry Parsons knows residents are worried. He hopes buyers consider the residents’ needs.
Wick House had council and charity checks before. They discussed helping homeless residents.
The owners did not notify the council about the sale. Officials plan for a possible auction and consider the risk of homelessness. The council can offer advice to those at risk, and they can visit the Citizen Service Point for help.