Another homeless woman dies on London street

Warmer days - 30 August 2022. Image: ICN/JS

A little old lady was found dead in a busy London high street on 3 January. It took a while for people to notice. Maria, or Lidia as some people called her, died out of sight in a little shack she had made for herself from pallets, cardboard boxes and plastic sheeting.

At first she'd set up home next to the former Barclay's Bank in Kentish Town High Street. She lived there for months. As the weather got colder she added more cardboard boxes, more bits of polystyrene. She survived the really icy spell of sub-zero temperatures we had recently - although she developed a chest infection. Then on 29th December, builders converting the bank into a new dental clinic told her she had to move from there. With help from passers-by she started shifting her stuff round the corner to a new spot in Islip Street. Could that move have brought on her final illness?

Over the last few months several people had tried to befriend Maria. A gentle, shy woman, she always refused offers of money and hot drinks. When it was really cold she would quietly sit in a shop. Many people had reported Maria to the various homeless authorities. Each time they were told: "Yes we know about her - but there's nothing we can do. She doesn't want to move." One person noticed she was ill and tried to get her some antibiotics - but without a prescription it was impossible to get her treatment.

Fr Dominic Robinson, chair of Westminster Diocese Justice and Commission said: "The disgrace of yet another homeless death on the streets in subzero temperatures and plain daylight in busy Kentish Town raises important questions about our priorities as society and local authorities.

"During the pandemic it was possible to house many if not all homeless citizens. Why on earth can we not find a way to provide support, including healthcare and accommodation, for those who cannot for whatever reason help themselves.

"A full scale review of local and national government rough sleeping policy is vital before, if as feared, many more will die on the streets this winter".

The Camden New Journal is organising a memorial service for Maria on Thursday, 19 January at 11am in St Michael's Anglican Church in Camden Road. All are welcome to attend. On Friday, 20 January the 10am Mass at Our Lady Help of Christians will be dedicated to her.

An estimated 741 homeless people died in England and Wales in 2021. 154 died in London. Campaigners fear the total will be much higher this year.

Between April and September 2022, 5,712 people were sleeping rough in London, a 21% increase compared to previous year - Shelter reports. The charity says it is expecting a 'sharp rise' in homelessness in 2023 while local authorities are calling on the government to ensure changes are made amid the Cost of Living crisis.

Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils' Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, said: "These devastating figures reveal that London remains the epicentre of the homelessness crisis. Everyone deserves a permanent home, but the chronic shortage of affordable housing in the capital means too many Londoners find themselves homeless and reliant on temporary accommodation arranged by their local council. The numbers are so high they are equivalent to the entire population of a London borough.

Among homeless people, the average age at death is 45.9 years for men and 43.4 years for women.

See also:

ICN 15 November 2022 - London: Service commemorates record number of homeless deaths in past year + video
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