Homeless deaths in Leeds hit record high after year-on-year increase, ONS estimates show

A homeless charity in Leeds said the increasing number shows the danger of rough sleeping, even before Covid-19, but fears the pandemic may have made the situation even worse since these figures for 2019 were issued.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show an estimated 19 homeless people died in Leeds during 2019 – up from 12 the previous year and the highest number since records began in 2013.

The figures are based on registered deaths plus an estimate of how many people died without being correctly identified as homeless. They mainly include people sleeping rough or using emergency accommodation such as hotels or hostels.

An estimated 778 homeless people died in 2019 across England and Wales – that was seven per cent up from the previous year, and the fifth yearly increase in a row.

Leeds City Council said the deaths are a "tragedy" as it vows to continue providing targeted support to homeless people in need.

It comes as a cash-strapped homeless charity in Leeds says it has had to cut back on its outreach services to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Becky and Shelley Joyce, founders of Homeless Street Angels, say the pandemic is causing "terrible" suffering for rough sleepers and those living in emergency accommodation.

Becky said: “It’s more worrying than it was during the first lockdown because of the weather conditions.

“There’s quite a few people still on the streets, those who slip through the net. We have people with mental health, alcohol or drug issues which makes it difficult for them to be able to stay in a hotel or hostel.

“We’ve had to cut back on outreach since the third lockdown was announced because it’s far too dangerous for homeless people who are crowding around to get food.

"But we're doing drive-by deliveries and taking emergency call-outs if we hear of people who are desperate, we’ll go out to their tent and make sure we take provisions."

Becky said the pandemic is putting immense pressure on many families living on the breadline in Leeds, who she says are at increased risk of homelessness.

The charity has set up a food bank due to demand for food parcels, which it delivers to struggling residents across the city.

The team, which is working to a tight budget while it is unable to run its usual fundraising activities, supports homeless people living in hotels and hostels to make the transition to permanent housing.

But Becky said the pandemic is making this transition more difficult than ever before.

“There’s nothing out there for them, no way to better their lives at the moment," she said.

“Their mental health is suffering because they can’t go and mix with people, they can’t have a day off of being sat inside four walls - which they aren’t used to.

“It’s depressing enough for most of us, but on their own it’s terrible for them."

The ONS figures show 37 per cent of the estimated deaths across England and Wales were related to drug poisoning, while suicides among homeless people increased by 30 per cent from 86 estimated deaths in 2018 to 112 in 2019.

Nearly 90 per cent of the deaths registered in 2019 were among men.

Between 2013 and 2019, Leeds saw 80 deaths among homeless people.

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, said: “Firstly, I would like to express our respects and sympathies to the families of those who have sadly died.

"One death on our streets is far too many and it is always a tragedy when it unfortunately occurs.

“Many of the issues associated with people who are rough sleeping or homeless remain extremely challenging. It was with great sadness that in 2019 we saw two people pass away who had been known to be living on the streets at this time.

"A number of other people with a history of rough sleeping or homelessness also passed away whilst they were being supported by services in temporary accommodation.

"We remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure the best possible support is available to help those in need. Not just in terms of providing accommodation, but to tackle complex health conditions and other significant issues such as addictions that can have a detrimental impact on life expectancy."

The council set up a designated Street Support Team in 2018 and says it is using the findings of an Independent Review into the deaths of rough sleepers over an 18-month period to shape its strategy moving forward.

Cllr Coupar added: "Whilst we have seen some very positive results thus far, which includes how we have met the ongoing challenge of coronavirus by ensuring those needing our help have access to temporary and permanent accommodation, we are certainly not complacent.

"There is still a lot of hard work that needs to be done to make sure progress continues to be made and that meaningful targeted support is provided to those in need.

"To ensure that this is achieved in a joined up and proactive way, we are also using the findings of an Independent Review released this year into the deaths of rough sleepers over an 18-month period to shape our response and strategy moving forward.

"The people of Leeds can be assured we will leave no stone unturned in our aim to stop these types of tragedies occurring again in our city.”

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