Today we learn that an estimated 242 people died while homeless in 2023, mainly while in unsuitable temporary accommodation. Most were only 35 to 44 years old.
This is similar to last year and far higher than the 164 losses estimated when National Records of Scotland began collecting this data just seven years ago. When you include hidden homelessness, including sofa surfing, the numbers are likely to be worse.
Deaths from drug use increased in the last year from 89 to 100 and accounted for 41% of all estimated homeless deaths in Scotland in 2023, up from 36% a year before. Of those who died, 79% were men and 21% were women.
We know from evidence that homelessness was for many of these men and women a late marker of interlinked factors such as poverty, trauma, poor physical and mental health, and addiction. The final insult was an early death following multiple missed chances to intervene.
Joined-up services can save people facing multiple and severe disadvantage who are most at risk of homelessness. We must rethink how we currently design, fund and deliver services to make it easier for people at the hard edges to access support.
New duties in the Housing Bill to prevent homelessness earlier and in a wider range of settings can also save lives – if they are properly resourced and implemented. So we call on MSPs of all parties to support the Bill in its Stage One debate this week.
We and other organisations in the Everyone Home collective have warned local authorities and the Scottish Government that people could lose their lives this winter if they are forced to sleep rough because of a lack of safe accommodation.
But these statistics once again show that the risk of death is ever present for people who are stuck in limbo in unsuitable hotel and B&B rooms. The causes of and solutions to these avoidable tragedies are well known. There is no excuse for inaction.