They die in plain view. Now a hunger strike aims to slow London's rising tally of homeless deaths
CBC
A group of homeless relief workers has vowed to wage a hunger strike on the steps of London's city hall if authorities don't agree to demands on how to address an epidemic of homeless deaths on the city's streets.
With rising housing costs and health authorities preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic, the estimated number of homeless deaths rose in the city from 59 in 2020, to 74 last year.
So far this year, 34 people have died in despair on the city's streets, including a woman who was found last week in the Thames River.
The group, which calls itself the Forgotten519, is comprised of Intercommunity Health physician Andrea Sereda, SafeSpace London, and the Ontario Network of People Who Use Drugs.
In a news release published Monday, the advocates said they would give city council until the morning of August 2 to give-in to the demands "in full" or "we will initiate a hunger strike at City Hall and a series of other actions."
A spokesperson for the group was not immediately available Monday.
The demands include:
The mayor's office was not immediately available for comment Monday.
More to come.
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