The homeless are often forgotten in our busy modern lives, passed by many as lazy, frauds and drunkards, in all the discussion we can forget is the abject poverty these people face. Through the harsh rain and freezing cold, those without homes are ignored and forgotten on the streets, some left to die. Living in environments conducive to the development of physical and mental illness, some even enter the streets carrying terminal illness.
With the current state of the UK and the refugee influx, many run away from their once homes, fearing death from both their leaders and fanatic factions. Stringency in the system means many are allowed entry but forbidden to contribute, while restricted employment forces them to live off charity and at a standstill, until their former home is safe. They take life threatening trips across the sea carrying their loved ones, only to realise they have no shelter here once they reach here.
Along with the push towards a BREXIT, overseas workers are facing greater pressure, some of them who aimed for a better prospect abroad, are left in a cyclical state of homelessness. Cycling between living on the streets and cramped illegal living conditions, their contribution still remains unseen, uncertain and unappreciated.
According to a 2012 study on the deaths of the homeless in England by Crisis and The University of Sheffield, half of all homeless deaths were physical health related, more than a third of deaths were directly linked to drugs and alcohol, and nearly a tenth of all homeless deaths in the study were suicide related.
The report concluded that a key issue facing the homeless is the lack of provision by the NHS: its failure to reduce physical and mental health inequalities, and failure to deliver on their health needs at a fundamental level.
Despite being a national service, the reality is that some are left without help, left to spiral out of control and out of society. Nevertheless, there is a debt to be owed to those close to us going through hard times, the least being, a source of consolation. Life itself is uncertain, any one of these days we could find ourselves swapping our homes for the street. With this, I hope we can keep the destitute and homeless in our thoughts, when making our decision on June 8th.

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