People sleeping rough in Scotland are dying in record numbers – despite pledges to tackle the housing crisis.
Independent figures show the death toll among those without somewhere to live has risen by more than 40 per cent in the last year, from 158 to 206.
It comes after the Scottish Government acknowledged a housing emergency in May. Last night, Shelter Scotland director Alison Watson said: “People should not be dying with nowhere safe and permanent to call home but that is the grim reality of Scotland’s housing emergency.
“Earlier this year, the Scottish Government declared a housing emergency but we’ve yet to see the kind of urgent, radical, response we need to end it.
“If ministers are serious about tackling it then they need to address the chronic shortage of social homes, and make sure failing local homelessness services have the resources they need to do their job.”
Sean Clerkin, of the Scottish Tenants Association, called for the Scottish and UK governments to work together to build social housing and renovate thousands of empty homes.
He added: “307 homeless men and women in Scotland have shamefully died deaths of despair, alone and isolated over the last three years.”
Figures for Britain as a whole paint a grim picture with 1474 homeless people dying in 2023, up 42 per cent.
Gill Taylor, of the Museum of Homelessness Dying Homeless Project, which reported the figures, said: “Twenty per cent more young adults experiencing homelessness completed suicide. People experiencing homelessness are at least three times more likely to be murdered.”
The data shows stark regional inequalities in England, with people in rural areas dying up to 10 years younger and the north-east having highest death rate outside London.
The report states: “Our methodology includes a rigorous verification process including analysis of information from coroners’ inquiries, media coverage, family testimony and freedom of information requests to verify details of each case.
“This national emergency is clearly linked to insufficient investment in life-saving ‘off the streets’ accommodation and to the widespread closure of winter shelters since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Co-director Matt Turtle said: “Labour has not yet set out plans to mitigate the damage caused by the last government. Our analysis indicates things are set to get much grimmer, unless the Government acts now to save lives.”
In May, First Minister John Swinney was forced to declare a housing emergency after five councils, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, appealed for support. Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “We know people who experience homelessness are much more likely to have poor physical and mental health.
“That’s why we must ensure everyone has a home that meets their needs and tackling the emergency requires a joint approach between the Scottish Government, UK Government and local authorities.”
Scottish Labour housing spokesperson Mark Griffin said: “The SNP government must start treating the housing
emergency with the urgency it deserves, starting by appointing a new housing minister who is up to the job.”
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