Communities Secretary responds to ONS figures on deaths of homeless people

Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

“No one is meant to spend their lives on the streets, or without a home to call their own. Every death on our streets is too many and it is simply unacceptable to see lives cut short this way.

“That’s why we are investing £1.2bn to tackle homelessness and have bold plans backed by £100m to halve rough sleeping by 2022 and end it by 2027.

“I am also committed to ensuring independent reviews into the deaths of rough sleepers are conducted, where appropriate, so that important lessons are learned – and I will be holding local authorities to account in doing just that.

“And to stop people from becoming homeless in the first place, we’ve changed the law to require councils to provide early support for those at risk of being left with nowhere left to go, are boosting access to affordable housing, and making renting more secure.

“These figures will support us in our mission to end rough sleeping for good, ensuring we have as much detailed information as possible so we can target support in the right way.”

Background

• The Office for National Statistics defines a homeless person in their statistics as those recorded as having no fixed abode, sleeping rough or using emergency accommodation such as homeless shelters and direct access hostels.