UK: Almost 1,000 homeless people died in 2020

LONDON

Almost 1,000 homeless people died in 2020 across the UK, according to figures released by a social justice group Monday.

The Museum of Homelessness (MoH) said, according to findings of a project, the figure rose by more than a third over the previous year.

“The Dying Homeless Project recorded 976 deaths across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2020 – a 37% increase in the numbers reported in our 2019 study,” the museum said.

A total of 693 of the deaths were in England and Wales, 176 in Scotland, and 107 in Northern Ireland, according to the project.

The figures “include the deaths of people who were living on the streets, sofa surfing, and in emergency or temporary accommodation for people who are homeless.”

The museum also said only 3% of those who died fell victim to COVID-19, calling this “a significant achievement given the overall death toll from the pandemic.”

“Of the cases in which we have confirmed details of the cause of death, 36% were related to drug and alcohol use, 15% died from suicide,” it said.

The statement also said the findings show that “the government needs to significantly increase support for this type of long-term investment in council housing and support services.”

Jess Turtle, co-founder of the group, said: “The Government touts ‘Everyone In’ as a runaway success.

“But it didn’t stop a staggering increase in the number of people dying while homeless – despite the best efforts of our colleagues around the country who worked 24 hours a day on emergency response.”