Homeless deaths: Brighton and Hove among worst-hit areas

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said from 2013 to 2017 there were 48 homeless deaths in Brighton and Hove.

In 2017 alone there were 11 homeless deaths on the streets of Brighton and Hove.

Other areas with a high rate of homeless deaths in 2017 included Manchester (21), Birmingham (18), Bristol (17), Lambeth (17), Liverpool (17) and Camden (15).

Ben Humberstone, head of health and life events at the Office for National Statistics said: “Today’s findings show a real contrast between areas in terms of where homeless people are dying. Every one of these deaths is a real human tragedy and understanding where these deaths occur is particularly poignant. While the worst affected areas change from one year to the next, the figures show that the deprivation level of an area has a real impact. Many more people die homeless in the most deprived areas of England and Wales and 95 per cent of the deaths are in urban areas rather than rural areas.”

Responding to the news today, Victoria Moffett, external affairs manager at the National Housing Federation, said: “These figures should be a real wake-up call. It isn’t acceptable that 11 people died on the streets of Brighton in 2017.

“Rough sleeping is a real problem in the city, but we mustn’t fall into the trap of thinking that it is inevitable. Housing associations have committed to doing everything they can to manage it, but ultimately homelessness isn’t going to be addressed until there are enough homes, especially affordable homes, to go around. The Government must urgently invest in new social housing to ensure that everyone has somewhere secure and affordable to live. Ministers also need to offer better support for homeless people through the welfare system, to stop people ending up on the streets in the first place.”

Brighton & Hove City Council has been approached for a comment.