Museum of Homelessness Whitehall vigil opposite Downing Street [Lucinda Macpherson & Museum of Homelessness]

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AN “emergency” has been declared by homeless groups after figures emerged showing a rough-sleeper is dying nearly every month on Westminster streets.

The Museum of Homelessness has published an in-depth report showing the “terrifying rates” and that the support systems are “in tatters”. It warns of an epidemic of “deaths of despair” with almost half of the deaths coming from alcohol, drugs and suicide. The warnings come after campaigners attended a candlelit vigil outside Number 10 Downing Street to send a message to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.

MoH co-director Matt Turtle said: “People are dying on the street at terrifying rates. The only way to tackle this emergency is with an increase in support for off the streets accommodation, like winter shelters. The systems of care for people living with poverty and homelessness are in tatters after 15 years of cuts and corruption. Labour has not yet set out plans to mitigate the damage caused by the last government. Our analysis indicates things are set to get much grimmer, unless the government acts now to save lives.”

The new research says that at least 310 people died while homeless on the street in London in 2023. Across the country the figure was 1,474, which represented a 12 per cent rise on the year before.

Westminster has been the borough with the highest number of people sleeping rough in London, followed by Camden. Nine people died while homeless in Camden last year and 11 in Westminster.

These are official figures and the charities say the true count is likely to be far higher.

The vigil marked the deaths of 1,474 homeless people in 2023 [Lucinda Macpherson]

Westminster Council has launched a consultation on a new rough sleeping strategy. Part of the process is to aim for a “more joined up approach” with public services such as GP surgeries, schools and libraries linking “to identify vulnerable people as early as possible and act in tandem before they reach the point of homelessness”.

Launching the strategy earlier this month, Cllr Liza Begum, cabinet member for housing services, said: “Part of our commitment to creating ‘Fairer Housing’ in Westminster is to address the root causes of homelessness. Homelessness and rough sleeping are huge issues for some of our residents and we’re aware that the situation requires meaningful change to address issues that lead to homelessness.”

Strategic lead for the MoH’s “Dying Homeless Project” Gill Taylor said: “The evidence is clear that counting, reviewing and learning from deaths is key to preventing further loss of life. The Office for National Statistics has also not published official statistics for nearly two years and the Conservatives failed to implement the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act which passed in 2023. The new government should take urgent action in these two areas.”

A spokesperson from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “Every one of these deaths is a tragedy and is a damning indictment of the disgraceful rise in homelessness in recent years which has a devastating impact.

“We are taking action by setting up a dedicated cross-government group, chaired by the deputy prime minister, to develop a long-term strategy to get us back on track to end homelessness. Councils and their partners deliver vital work to tackle rough sleeping including drug and alcohol treatment and wrap-around support. Funding allocations will be set out following the budget.”