Crisis responds to shocking new figures on homeless deaths

Please find below Crisis Scotland’s reaction to today’s homeless deaths figures for 2024: 

• An estimated 231 deaths of people experiencing homelessness were registered in Scotland in 2024 – a similar number to the previous year (242).
• Around half of all recorded deaths of people experiencing homelessness were for people aged under 45.
• The most common age group among deaths of both men and women experiencing homelessness was 35-44. ​

Maeve McGoldrick, Head of Policy and Communications at Crisis Scotland, said: “It’s completely unacceptable that 231 people died in Scotland in 2024 waiting for a home. 

“Levels of homelessness, and rough sleeping in particular, have risen since the pandemic to alarming highs. We had hoped to see a significant decrease but it’s shocking that progress has stalled and the number of deaths in 2024 was almost the same as the previous year.

“Once again we see in these figures the terrible toll homelessness takes on the young. Around half of the deaths were among people under 45. Seventy eight per cent of those dying are men, many of whom will be single and often struggle to access the necessary wraparound support. We need to make sure every person gets the help they need, as early as possible. The Scottish government needs to redouble its efforts to end all forms of homelessness.

“Homelessness is traumatic. Living in temporary accommodation where you don’t feel safe, or sleeping in a freezing car, or moving between the homes of friends and acquaintances just to have a roof over your head, takes a huge toll on people’s mental and physical health. A laser focus on ending all forms of homelessness is needed to drive down these numbers. 

“We know what’s required and that’s why we are calling on all political parties to commit to ending homelessness by 2040 in their upcoming manifestos. This means building more truly affordable homes in the places that need them the most, giving wraparound help to people much earlier on, ideally before they become homeless, and being more strategic and impactful with how money is spent – making sure that it reduces homelessness across Scotland.

“These deaths are not inevitable. We know how to end homelessness for good – we just need the political will to make this happen.” 

-Ends-

Notes to Editor

Statistics on registered deaths among people registered as homeless can be found here: Homeless Deaths 2024 - National Records of Scotland (NRS)