Glasgow has twice the rate of homeless deaths than Scotland

There were 56 estimated deaths of people while homeless last year, the same figure as the year before.

The number equates to 112 per one million of the population.

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Across Scotland, there were 242 deaths which is 58 per million of the population and includes nine people under the age of 25.

The deaths are of people who are registered homeless and could be in hotel, B&B or temporary accommodation as well as rough sleeping and so-called sofa surfing.

While half of all deaths were in the under 45s, the national figures showed a range of ages affected.

Of the 242 estimated deaths, the highest number was in the 35 to 44 year-old age group where there were 61 deaths.

There were nine deaths in the 15-24 age group and 17 in the 65 to 74 year-olds.

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager with older people’s charity Independent Age, said: “It is a social injustice and a human tragedy that the estimated number of older people who died while homeless in 2023 has risen to 19.  

“Every person’s death while homeless highlights that more must be done to make sure that no older person is faced with homelessness in the first place.” 

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There were an estimated 100 homeless deaths due to drug use, 41% of all homeless deaths. The researchers said this follows a similar pattern to the general population which saw an increase in drug misuse deaths in 2023 after a fall in 2022.

This year, the Glasgow Times launched the End the Homeless Hotel Shame campaign to improve the conditions in emergency accommodation in the city.

There are currently more than 1800 people who are homeless and living in hotels and B&Bs.

The Scottish Government said it was investing in projects to tackle homelessness and drug deaths.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “Every premature and preventable death is a tragedy and I send my deepest condolences to those affected by the loss of friends or family who were homeless.

“That is why we are investing in the £100 million multi-year ending homelessness together fund to prevent homelessness, end rough sleeping and reduce temporary accommodation use.

“Through our £250 million National Mission on Drugs we’re taking a wide range of actions, including opening the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility pilot, working towards drug-checking facilities and widening access to life-saving naloxone.

Meanwhile, opposition parties said the government was responsible

Mark Griffin, Scottish Labour housing spokesperson, said:  “These devastating deaths are the most severe consequence of the housing emergency engulfing Scotland on the SNP’s watch.

“Every single one of these deaths is a tragedy and every one of these people were badly failed in their hour of need.”  

Megan Gallacher, Conservative housing spokesperson, said: “These figures should be a source of shame for the SNP.

“Every one of these deaths is a tragedy and is a damning indictment of the SNP’s failures to get a grip of both the housing and drug deaths emergencies that have spiralled out of control on their watch.

Campaigners, however, have told all parties they need to work to end homelesness.

Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said: “These figures should represent a wake-up call for politicians of every party. Behind every one of these figures is a real person –someone robbed of their potential. These people formed a part of our communities and they will be missed.

“But it doesn’t need to be this way. We urgently need the Scottish Government and opposition to press on with plans to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place.

“That means every party supporting the Housing Bill at the Stage One debate in parliament later this week, for government to ensure the plans are backed by the resourcing required to make them a success.”