A record 726 people died on Britain's streets last year according to the Office for National Statistics.
This represents a 22% rise on the previous year when 724 homeless people died (Morning Star 2/10/19).
A massive increase in drug overdoses amongst homeless people had been a major contributing factor.
In 2018 an estimated 294 homeless people suffered drug related deaths. This was a 55% increase on 2017 when 190 died.
Shelter Chief Executive Polly Neate says the "tragic deaths" are the "consequence of a housing system and economy that is failing too many of our fellow citizens."