ONS release number of deaths of people experiencing homelessness involving coronavirus during outbreak – Crisis response

Today, the Office for National Statistics has released figures on the number of deaths of people who are homeless that involved coronavirus in England and Wales. 

Of deaths involving the coronavirus in England and Wales registered up to 26 June 2020, 16 were identified as people who were homeless. 

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “Every one of these deaths is a tragedy - behind these figures are individuals, each with families, hopes and dreams. When the outbreak started, it was a stark reminder of the risk people who are homeless face from the virus – with no access to a place to self-isolate nor, in some cases, basic sanitation.

“The situation could have been much worse had the government, local councils and charities not worked to quickly move many people sleeping rough and in night shelters into hotels, providing safe, emergency accommodation. This undoubtedly saved lives. We must now build on this. We need emergency homelessness legislation to guarantee everyone experiencing homelessness has the security of a safe and settled home. Without this, people risk being forced back on our streets or into crowded shelters, with the danger posed by the virus still very real.”