Response to the publication of new National Records of Scotland statistics on deaths among people experiencing homelessness in 2020

Key figures:

• There were an estimated 256 deaths of people experiencing homelessness in Scotland in 2020. This is an increase of 40 deaths on the previous estimate in 2019 (a rise of 18.5%)
• 57% of male deaths and 65% of female deaths were those aged 45 or under
• 71% of deaths were attributed to external causes of morbidity and mortality (including drug-related deaths, accidents, suicides and assaults), 8% were caused by diseases of the circulatory system (including heart disease and stroke), 5% were attributed to neoplasms (cancers)
• 77% of homeless deaths were male and 23% were female

Responding to the figures, Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “It’s shocking that even more people died while experiencing homelessness last year. Behind every one of these statistics is a real person, with friends and families. They formed a part of our communities and they will be missed.

“Homelessness is an injustice, but it is also a public health emergency. Far too many lives have been cut short and many of these deaths will have been avoidable. That is unacceptable.

“We need to learn from these failings and put in place measures to stop this from happening again. We’ve long known how damaging homelessness can be for someone’s health and it is vital that we act now to prevent people from losing their homes. That means public services, including health bodies, asking about someone’s housing situation, then acting to help if they need it.

“Homelessness is not inevitable. By working together we can end it.”