Candles are lit outside Downing Street [Lucinda Macpherson]

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NINE people died while homeless in Camden last year – nearly one person a month.

The Museum of Homelessness (MoH) has published an in-depth report on the number of people who died in the UK in 2023.

The report shows the “terrifying rates” and that 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.

A few months ago, Camden Council drew criticism from campaigning groups after its internal investigation found its rough sleeping services “work well” in the borough. Despite this, nine people died while homeless in 2023.

Six people died whilst rough sleeping. This is a significant increase as there were no recorded deaths of people who were rough sleeping in 2022.

Three of the nine people who died in 2023 were women. One died in supported housing, another in rough sleeping accommodation, which is typically night shelter-style accommodation, and another died in an unknown location.

MoH noted that Camden did not report deaths in temporary accommodation. It said: “The boroughs that do typically have higher numbers that are clearly made up of a mix of housing statuses at time of people’s deaths. As a result, we think that the figure for Camden is likely significantly under-reported.”

[Lucinda Macpherson]

Elodie Berland from Streets Kitchen agreed that the number felt less than their experience of helping people on the streets.

She said: “The nine reported deaths of people experiencing homelessness in Camden are simply tragic and far too often avoidable. We knew many of them. It is even more heartbreaking when we know first-hand that the actual number of those we have lost prematurely is, unfortunately, much higher.

“It’s vitally important that we properly remember all those we’ve lost.

“Whether it’s one death, nine, or more, we must prevent any more from occurring by eradicating homelessness once and for all with the right political will and adequate funding of essential services.”

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 found 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.

A candlelit vigil was held outside Number 10 Downing Street to send a message to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer about the horrifying findings.

Labour councillor Pat Callaghan, the deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for community safety, said: “It is heartbreaking when a person dies on our streets.

“Every day, we work closely with our partners to help people in Camden who are sleeping rough, or at risk of homelessness, giving them the support they need to help them off the streets, into accommodation and towards independent living.

“This includes health support, help with drug and alcohol misuse, employment support, financial advice, and more.”

In January 2023, Lidia Venegas was found dead in a makeshift shelter in Islip Street, Kentish Town in a case which shocked the borough. She had been known for sleeping in a tent in Kentish Town Road before being moved on.

The New Journal helped to host a memorial service for her at St Michael’s Church in Camden Town attended by more than 100 people. Camden said then that it would review what services had been made available to her.

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