A HOMELESS man has died unexpectedly while living in a shelter.

The news of the man's death was shared yesterday by Oxford City Council, which had been helping the former rough sleeper.

An announcement made by the council's cabinet member for affordable housing and housing the homeless, Mike Rowley, detailed what had happened.

The statement from Mr Rowley said: "I regret to have to tell you about the death of another person in our adult homeless pathway.

"On Tuesday, February a 42-year old British man died unexpectedly in Matilda House.

"He had been living there since August 2019, after first being verified sleeping rough in January 2019 and subsequently accommodated in a pre-recovery project."

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Mr Rowley added: "His next of kin have been informed.

"I would like to extend my sympathies to his family and friends. As is customary when someone dies on the streets or in supported accommodation, the council will respect his privacy and make no further comment on his tragic and untimely death."

The council has announced the deaths of several rough sleepers, including those now living in shelters, over the last few months.

The results of a review into the deaths of homeless people in Oxfordshire, commissioned by the city council, were published toward the end of last year.

It called for the charities and public service workers who help rough sleepers to take a more strategic and persistent approach to prevent deaths in the future.

At the time, the council said these recommendations had been taken on board.

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