Media Release: Worrying trend in homeless deaths reveals vulnerability of life on Sydney's streets

Daniel Strickland, Manager for Mission Australia’s homeless transport service, Missionbeat, says an estimated 10 homeless people have died in the last two months alone from a range of issues. In the last 12 months, an estimated 16 homeless people have died while another seven formerly homeless people have passed away. The main causes of death identified are related to substance abuse and chronic disease.

Mr Strickland said the deaths were concerning given the mortality rates of homeless people relative to the general population. He said the deaths reflected the vulnerability of homeless people, the increased risks associated with their situation and the impact long-term homelessness has on a person’s health.

“I’ve been working at the coalface of homelessness for nine years and I can’t recall seeing this many deaths among homeless people – and this is just in Sydney’s inner-city,” Mr Strickland said.

“It’s an extremely concerning development for our agencies and all those involved in providing services and support to homeless people in Sydney’s inner city.

“At an estimate, altogether more than 20 homeless or formerly homeless people have died in the inner city since late last year – it seems a much larger number than normal.

“Given the range of causes of death – from overdose, long term alcohol abuse and cancer as the most frequently occurring factors but also including assault, accident and suicide – it’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable homeless people are and how exposed to range of factors.

“Because of the transient nature of homeless people it’s very difficult to give an authoritative figure on the number of deaths, but based on our experience this seems to be an abnormally high number for a relatively small subset of the population.

“If this was another subset of the population you have to wonder if this number of deaths would go unnoticed. But because homeless people are often disconnected from family and community networks who might speak up for them it’s easy for a trend like this to slip under the radar.

“There’s no particular reason I can give for the apparent spike – it unfortunately seems to reflect what it is to be homeless in Sydney in 2011.

“As we move through winter, it’s a reminder to all of us, not just those on the frontline, but governments, businesses and the general public, just how tough it is out there and how much effort is needed to turn this situation around,” Mr Strickland said.

Media contact: Leanne Budd 0457 505 342

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