By Lucy Ashton
Responding to new figures that an estimated 244 people died while homeless in 2022, with drug misuse accounting for over a third of all estimated deaths, Scottish Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson Paul McGarry said: “Today’s news is horrific. It is a reflection of failed government policies on drugs, mental health and housing.
“We have seen nothing but inaction from both the Scottish and UK governments. The SNP failed to build thousands of homes promised for social rent, while the Conservatives’ devastating cuts to social security have put people at greater risk of eviction and homelessness.
“Time is running out for the SNP. Ministers need to ensure that wraparound services for people experiencing homelessness are available when they need them.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats would also re-establish social renting as a long-term option, bring thousands of long-term empty homes back into use and put fairness at the heart of the social security system.”
You can find the full report on homeless deaths here
It shows that:
- There were an estimated 244 deaths of people experiencing homelessness registered in Scotland in 2022. This is similar to the level in 2021. Homeless deaths are at a higher level now compared to 2017, when these statistics were first collected.
- City of Edinburgh, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Glasgow City and Stirling had the highest rates of homeless deaths per million population (aged 15-74) in 2022. Due to small numbers, the local authority level figures can fluctuate from year to year.
- 73% of homeless deaths were male and 27% were female.
- Almost half (49%) of homeless deaths were people aged under 45.
- Drug-misuse deaths of people experiencing homelessness fell in the past year from 127 to 89. Drug-misuse deaths accounted for over a third of all estimated homeless deaths in Scotland (89 deaths, 36% of the total number of deaths).
- Estimates of homeless deaths in other parts of the UK are not comparable with those for Scotland. An article, (jointly published by statistics producers across the UK) explains the reasons for this is more detail.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour have described the number of homeless deaths in Scotland is ‘heart-breaking and shocking’.
In 2017, 164 homeless deaths were estimated in Scotland. Just six years on, this number now sits at a stark 244 – a dramatic 49% increase.
The figures released today also revealed the distressing impact this has on Scotland’s young people, with almost half of all estimated homeless deaths coming from people under 45.
Tragically, only three small local council authorities in Scotland experienced no deaths caused by homelessness.
This ‘catastrophic’ figure comes just one week after the SNP refused to support Labour’s motion to declare a housing crisis in Scotland, to put pressure on the Scottish Government to tackle rising rent prices and inappropriate accommodation for those experiencing homelessness.
It also comes as homelessness charity SOLACE warned of local authority housing and homelessness services “experiencing unsustainable pressure reflecting the critical lack of capacity in local housing systems in Scotland.”
Scottish Labour has warned that ‘one death is too many’ and warned that both the SNP and the Greens are ‘in denial’ about the scale of Scotland’s housing crisis .
Scottish Labour Housing spokesperson Mark Griffin said: “These truly heart-breaking figures lay bare the scale of Scotland’s housing crisis.
“Every single life lost due to homelessness is a tragedy, and even one death is too many. Each number represents someone who was let down by the systems meant to support them and lost their life because of it.
“Since 2017, these numbers have spiralled out of control, but the SNP and the Greens are in complete denial about the work that needs to be done to reverse it.
“We simply cannot sit idly by and allow this tragedy to continue. We need to declare a housing emergency in Scotland right now and work with local charities and authorities to ensure as much support as possible is given to those experiencing homelessness.”
Top picture: No home to go to, these ‘down and out’ men have their ‘breakfast’ in a public park.