The latest homeless deaths figures in London, published by the Office of National Statistics today, show 144 people died on the streets in 2019, more than any other region of the country. Responding to this, Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Housing Committee, said:
“It is a tragedy that 144 people have died on the streets in London. That is 144 too many. The COVID-19 pandemic has been the wake up call for authorities to help get London's homeless off the streets once and for all.
“Rough sleeping is on the rise in the capital and has tripled in the last decade. Charities have told us that many people are turning to the streets because of the pandemic when they would have sofa surfed before. It is time for the Mayor and Government to react quickly to these sad deaths. They need to build plans into the winter homelessness programmes to find and stop this suffering happening this Christmas.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
- London Assembly Housing Committee.
- Murad Qureshi AM is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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