‘Wake-up call’ over number of homeless deaths
MANCHESTER had the highest number of homeless deaths in the country in 2017, according to latest official figures.
The new figures issued by the Office for National Statistics – which started counting such deaths last year after a campaign by the M.E.N. and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism – reveal 21 estimated deaths in the city for the latest year available, higher than any other local authority.
Leading housing and homelessness charity Shelter has branded the news ‘a wake-up call’.
The numbers have emerged after initial estimates released by the ONS in December suggested 50 deaths across the whole of Greater Manchester between 2013 and 2017.
Since then they have refined their recording further, now revealing that the city of Manchester alone saw 17 identified homeless people die in 2017, the highest of any local authority in the country and a number that had steadily increased over the previous five years. Noting that will not be the full figure, it also provides a total estimate of 21 - again, the highest nationwide.
But because there is no single consistent recording system for ensuring every homeless death is registered, the ONS says even then its estimates are ‘conservative’, noting ‘the real figures may be higher’.
The next highest figures were recorded in Birmingham, at an estimated 18 deaths, followed by Lambeth, Liverpool and Bristol, all at 17.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said politicians in Manchester and further afield must take note.
“The high number of deaths in Manchester should be a wake-up call, both regionally and nationally,” she said. “There is nothing inevitable about people dying homeless, it is a direct consequence of a broken housing system.”
The ONS estimates just under 600 people died nationwide while homeless in 2017, either on the streets or while living in temporary accommodation. While Manchester’s raw numbers are the highest in the country, many smaller places with particularly severe problems recorded higher rates, with Blackburn, Barrow-in-Furness and Canterbury all recording among the highest figures per 100,000 residents. Manchester recorded the 15th highest death rate out of more than 650 authorities.
Coun Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester council, said: “While these figures do not come as a surprise they are still shocking. We must never forget that each of these tragic deaths represents an individual. Even one death on our streets would be too many. The simple truth is that sleeping rough has a direct and dramatic negative impact on people’s health. That’s why our efforts are focused on providing accommodation and support to get them off the streets as quickly as possible and keep them off the streets.”
For more information about how to help the homeless see streetsupport. net/Manchester.