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Homeless deaths rise by a quarter in five years, official figures show | Homeless deaths rise by a quarter in five years, official figures show |
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Nearly 600 homeless people died on the streets and in temporary accommodation in England and Wales in 2017, according to the first ever official government figures, amounting to a 24% rise in five years. | Nearly 600 homeless people died on the streets and in temporary accommodation in England and Wales in 2017, according to the first ever official government figures, amounting to a 24% rise in five years. |
After a slight drop in the first year, deaths have risen every year since, going from 475 in 2014 to 597 last year, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed. The average age of a rough sleeper at death was 44 years for men and 42 years for women. Men made up 84% of homeless deaths. | |
London and the north-west had the highest mortality of homeless people in England and Wales. Over half of deaths in 2017 were caused by drug poisoning, suicide and alcohol abuse. No figures were calculated for 2018. | London and the north-west had the highest mortality of homeless people in England and Wales. Over half of deaths in 2017 were caused by drug poisoning, suicide and alcohol abuse. No figures were calculated for 2018. |
It comes a day after a homeless man became the second rough sleeper to die outside parliament this year after he collapsed in a stairwell. | It comes a day after a homeless man became the second rough sleeper to die outside parliament this year after he collapsed in a stairwell. |
Homeless man dies after collapsing outside UK parliament | Homeless man dies after collapsing outside UK parliament |
The estimated figures were calculated by checking death registrations in England and Wales for indications that a person was homeless at or near their time of death. ONS researchers searched for terms such as “no fixed abode” in records, also checking whether the address included in the death registration belonged to a night shelter or a hostel. | The estimated figures were calculated by checking death registrations in England and Wales for indications that a person was homeless at or near their time of death. ONS researchers searched for terms such as “no fixed abode” in records, also checking whether the address included in the death registration belonged to a night shelter or a hostel. |
Previously, separate estimates by the Guardian, using freedom of information act requests, and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, using crowd sourcing, were the only figures on homeless deaths available. | Previously, separate estimates by the Guardian, using freedom of information act requests, and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, using crowd sourcing, were the only figures on homeless deaths available. |
In October, the government pledged that serious case reviews would be held to investigate all homeless deaths by local authorities, but has not provided any funding or support to help councils perform reviews. | In October, the government pledged that serious case reviews would be held to investigate all homeless deaths by local authorities, but has not provided any funding or support to help councils perform reviews. |
More than 24,000 people in Britain would spend Christmas sleeping rough or in cars, trains, buses or tents, according to new figures by the homeless charity Crisis. | More than 24,000 people in Britain would spend Christmas sleeping rough or in cars, trains, buses or tents, according to new figures by the homeless charity Crisis. |
On Tuesday, the housing secretary, James Brokenshire, claimed government policy was not responsible for the rise in rough sleeping, which has officially increased 169% since 2010, but was believed to be much higher. Instead, he blamed the spread of psychoactive drugs such as spice, the growth in non-UK nationals on the streets and family breakdown. | On Tuesday, the housing secretary, James Brokenshire, claimed government policy was not responsible for the rise in rough sleeping, which has officially increased 169% since 2010, but was believed to be much higher. Instead, he blamed the spread of psychoactive drugs such as spice, the growth in non-UK nationals on the streets and family breakdown. |
Ben Humberstone, the ONS’s head of health and life events, said: “Every year hundreds of people die while homeless. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our society so it was vital that we produced estimates of sufficient quality to properly shine a light on this critical issue. Today we have been able to do just that. | Ben Humberstone, the ONS’s head of health and life events, said: “Every year hundreds of people die while homeless. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our society so it was vital that we produced estimates of sufficient quality to properly shine a light on this critical issue. Today we have been able to do just that. |
“We estimate that in 2017 there were 597 deaths of homeless people in England and Wales, a rise of 24% since 2013. | “We estimate that in 2017 there were 597 deaths of homeless people in England and Wales, a rise of 24% since 2013. |
“Our findings show a pattern of deaths among homeless people that is strikingly different from the general population. For example, homeless people tend to die younger and from different causes. The average age of death last year was 44 years, with 84% of all deaths being men. More than half were related to drug poisoning, suicide, or alcohol, causes that made up only 3% of overall deaths last year.” | “Our findings show a pattern of deaths among homeless people that is strikingly different from the general population. For example, homeless people tend to die younger and from different causes. The average age of death last year was 44 years, with 84% of all deaths being men. More than half were related to drug poisoning, suicide, or alcohol, causes that made up only 3% of overall deaths last year.” |
Responding to ONS figures on the number of deaths of homeless people, the LGA’s housing spokesman Cllr Martin Tett said all homeless deaths are preventable, but warned that supporting people at risk of homelessness was becoming increasingly difficult for councils because of lack of funding. | Responding to ONS figures on the number of deaths of homeless people, the LGA’s housing spokesman Cllr Martin Tett said all homeless deaths are preventable, but warned that supporting people at risk of homelessness was becoming increasingly difficult for councils because of lack of funding. |
He said: “Proper resourcing of local government funding is essential if we are going to end rising homelessness. Councils also need to keep 100 per cent of the receipts of any homes they sell to replace them and reinvest in building more of the genuinely affordable homes they desperately need and the ability to adapt welfare reforms to prevent people from losing their home where possible.” | He said: “Proper resourcing of local government funding is essential if we are going to end rising homelessness. Councils also need to keep 100 per cent of the receipts of any homes they sell to replace them and reinvest in building more of the genuinely affordable homes they desperately need and the ability to adapt welfare reforms to prevent people from losing their home where possible.” |
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