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Thousands of rough sleepers went without life-saving drug and alcohol treatment last year, research reveals
An estimated 12,000 people sleeping rough, or at risk of doing so, went without vital drug and alcohol treatment in England last year, according to new research published today by homelessness charity St Mungo’s.
An analysis of government figures has found that 9,861 people who presented to drug and alcohol treatment services in 2018/19 were of “no fixed abode”. This is up 19% from 8,318 in 2009/10.
However, the number of people sleeping rough in England has risen by 165% from 1,768 in 2010 to 4,677 in 2018.
St Mungo’s analysis estimates that if trends in rough sleeping numbers had been reflected in numbers in treatment, there would have been 22,000 people with no fixed abode requiring drug and alcohol treatment in 2018/19, compared with the 9,861 recorded.
According to the charity, local government cuts have “seriously impacted” drug and alcohol services. Local authorities in England have reduced funding for drug and alcohol services by more than a quarter on average since 2015/16.
The charity’s research also found that 380 (52%) of the 726 rough sleepers who died in 2018 did so due to drug and alcohol-related causes.
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Meanwhile, deaths caused by drug poisoning increased 55%, from 190 in 2017 to 294 in 2018.
In its 2019 manifesto, the Conservative Party pledged to “end the blight of rough sleeping” within the next five years and “bring together local services to meet the health and housing needs of people sleeping on the streets”.
St Mungo’s is calling on the government to deliver on its commitment to join up health and housing in a new cross-government strategy to end rough sleeping.
Its recommendations include action to end deaths on the streets, investing in drug and alcohol services and quickly establishing a “rough sleeping and substance use personalised fund” to meet immediate needs.
Howard Sinclair, chief executive of St Mungo’s, said: “This is a neglected health crisis that requires rapid action.
“Our research shows that people who have already faced traumatic experiences throughout their lives are being turned away from life-saving treatment just when they need it most.
“This needs urgent government action. Now is the moment for ministers to show they are serious about the commitment to join up health and housing to end rough sleeping once and for all.
“This means a comprehensive review of every death, a personalised fund to help everyone access life-saving treatment services quickly, and funding increases for integrated treatment, support and accommodation services.”
A government spokesperson said: “We’re committed to ensuring everyone has a roof over their heads and access to the right health services, including vital drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
“We’re investing £260m of funding so councils across the country can provide crucial services tailored to their areas.
“This is alongside an extra £2m to test community-based models to improve access to healthcare for people sleeping rough, or at risk, who are living with either substance misuse needs and mental illness, or both.”
Homes for Cathy Annual Conference
Inside Housing is pleased to join forces with Homes for Cathy to deliver the third edition of the Homes for Cathy Annual Conference, taking place on 23 March 2020 at the Congress Centre, London.
Supported by the Chartered Institute of Housing and Crisis, the conference will unite leaders and practitioners from housing associations, local authorities and charities to share real examples of the work being done to end homelessness. The event provides a platform for informed debate and discussion, examination and exploration around the good practices being used in the sector.
Homes for Cathy is a group of housing associations that were formed in the Cathy Come Home era. They came together in 2016 to mark the 50th anniversary of Cathy Come Home and to highlight the continuing needs of homeless people.
The Homes for Cathy group has been organising a range of local and national events over the past three years, with the aim of raising awareness of the needs of homeless people and working on strategies to end homelessness.
All surplus from the conference will go to the Homes for Cathy group to support its work bringing together housing associations, homelessness charities and local authorities to end homelessness.
