Lockdown suicides revealed as single people in Milton Keynes face looming homeless crisis

And a meeting this week heard there have also been several other deaths of vulnerable single people in temporary accommodation during the pandemic.

“There have been several deaths of vulnerable single people in temporary accommodation including a cluster suicide,” said Eleanor Nickless, Milton Keynes Council’s head of homelessness prevention and housing access.

The “cluster suicide” involved two deaths at Orchard House, in Wolverton, the meeting heard. No other details were given.

Cllr Amanda Marlow (Cons, Loughton & Shenley) was told that a 24 hours a day support service would be available for people living in the flats.

The report continued: “The current pandemic has increased the risk of suicide and heightened mental health issues. This has been clear to see for those faced with homelessness over this period.”

Tuesday’s meeting of the community and housing scrutiny committee also heard that the council is bracing itself for another spike in homelessness later in the year.

The Government’s ban on evictions is due to end on August 23, at the same time as people come off furlough, possibly straight into unemployment.

A 14 per cent increase in demand for services has also been seen by the council when it compares April and May figures to last year.

At the same time covid restrictions have meant that the council has seen a 63 per cent drop in the cases of homelessness that it prevents.

Council officers are also preparing to deal with more people fleeing domestic abuse.

Council officers put a rise in homelessness among young people mainly down to being evicted from the family home. They are looking at providing places for overnight beds and paying for mediation services.

Of around 1,000 households in temporary accommodation in Milton Keynes, nearly 350 are single people.

“Single people is currently the largest cohort of people approaching the homelessness service and going into temporary accommodation,” the report says.

The council is paying for hotels and private sector properties, although only seven out of 29 flats at Orchard House were being used following the suicides.

The council is working on a £190,000 plan to add support services to Orchard House.

Serpentine Court, in Bletchley, which is due to be demolished under Lakes Estate regeneration plans, is also being brought back into service to provide temporary accommodation.

“There are currently 11 properties in Serpentine Court that could be used for temporary accommodation and a further nine in works following being vacated,” the report says.

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