YESTERDAY we reported the sad news that three homeless people had died in Oxford.

A 41-year-old woman who had been living in Matilda House in Cowley since April was found dead in her room.

A 38-year-old man was found dead in his room in the YHA in Botley Road, while a 40-year-old man who had not been in the adult homeless pathway in 2020, but who had a history of rough sleeping, died in a property in Blackbird Leys.

Here is what our readers said on Facebook about the tragedy:

PAULA SWEENEY: “So very sorry to hear this. So sad in this day and age. Love and healing to their families and friends.”

PAULINE OLIVER: “Such sad news, may they rest in peace.”

MAHMOUD AL-HADAD: “I used to be ignorant about homelessness and since I started speaking to the the homeless in the street.

"I found out they they have very sad stories to tell and that made me respect them, care for them, tolerate them when they cause any trouble and appreciate my life even more.

“They are really nice people when you speak to them, but they are lonely and broke. We just need to embrace them, show them kindness. Love and compassion. Believe me, it really helps a lot and they will love that.

“Be kind. Be human. Be tolerant. Be compassionate. We are not going to live forever and one day, we will wake up and regret everyday that we were not kind to those who needed us the most.”

ADE NEWBOULD: “In this day and age we shouldn’t have homeless people having to sleep on the street. Look at all the churches we have sitting empty at night.”

CINDY GILLETT: “This shouldn’t be happening. Where did all the promises go to help these unfortunate human beings during this pandemic?”

CLARE HATHAWAY-BIRD: “Just because they were poor, it doesn’t mean their lives were any less valuable.”

OLLY HUTSON: “To read of three people in a wealthy city like Oxford suffering a lonely and miserable death, is at best confusing, and to most appallingly sad.

“I would encourage anyone reading this article to donate to established responsible homeless charities, with cash if possible, food and coats if no spare money, or volunteer if you are blessed with spare time.”

LINDA STRANGE: “How on earth does this happen in a county that is so well off.”

CYNTHIA BULPITT: “We help all we can on street level, and still it’s not enough.”

JOANNA LORITA LOUISE HEINEMANN: “It’s awful – so sad how these people have to sleep in the street.”

DEBORAH PURCHON: “Oh no this is so sad. Breaks my heart.”

CHARLOTTE HORWOOD: “This shouldn’t be happening. Rest in peace.”

OXFORD MAIL COMMENTER, ‘OX WATCH’: “This is very sad, but at least they were all in accommodation at the time they died. RIP.”

OXFORD MAIL COMMENTER ‘FEATHER62’: “I’m deeply sad and upset that these three homeless people lost their lives. Feeling for their families and loved ones.”

In a statement, Mike Rowley, Oxford City Council’s cabinet member for affordable housing and housing the homeless, said: “Homelessness kills. It takes too many people too early, and every untimely death is a tragedy.

“I am sorry to have to tell you that on Sunday, October 25, it played a part in claiming the lives of three more people in Oxford. I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of all three people who died.

“We won’t comment further on their personal circumstances except to say that all three of them had been in and around the adult homeless pathway for between four and six years.

"We believe that nobody should have to sleep rough in Oxford, let alone die on our streets or in our supported accommodation.”