‘Park homeless death a wake-up call for all of us’
THE death of a homeless woman found in a city-centre park “cannot be in vain”, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has said.
Ms Wood has said it is time for politicians of all levels and parties to come together and “not turn the other cheek”.
The body of a 32-year-old woman was found in Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff, on Saturday.
The sudden death is not being treated as suspicious by South Wales Police.
Ms Wood has said she was “horrified” to hear the news of the woman’s death.
“I think when we as a society start accepting this is normal, that a 32-year-old woman dies in a park because she is homeless, that’s the time we stop being compassionate and humane. “It’s a wake-up call. “There’s numerous levels of responsibility here. The Westminster government’s welfare room agenda is partly responsible for the increase in homelessness.
“Local authorities have their part to play in this, although their budgets have been cut, but this is partly their responsibility and the National Assembly Government have devolved powers for homelessness.
“Because there’s a number of different areas of responsibilities it’s possible that’s why no-one is taking full responsibility.”
She said: “We have to do something about this.
“This is a real wake-up call. This woman has lost her life and we need to make sure she hasn’t died in vain.”
When the temperature drops charities are allowed to provide increased, emergency provision to ensure no-one is sleeping in the cold.
Camp beds and beds can be put into communal areas on a temporary basis.
But no-one can be forced to take up a space.
It is understood the woman who died was involved with roughsleeping services and had been offered help. From December until March churches in Cardiff offer spaces to homeless people.
Ms Wood said that there should be further increased provision.
“I think there should be more emergency shelters made available. There are empty banks, schools and government buildings and shops. Churches could also be utilised for emergency accommodation.”
She says Manchester, under Labour mayor Andy Burnham, is leading the way in helping people who are sleeping rough.
The Housing First scheme sees homeless people with a high level of needs given permanent accommodation with support to ensure they stay in the house.
She called on people to help, either by donating cash or gifts to charities to help plug the gap.
Cardiff Council has said it will have to wait for the findings of the coroner’s inquest to “understand why this happened”.
Cabinet member Lynda Thorne said: “I know that people will ask if we are doing enough to help the homeless and, in the face of a tragic death, we must always ask ourselves how this was allowed to happen.
“But I want people to know there is no need to sleep outside at night and if people in need engage with us we will do everything we can to help them.”