The number of Scots who died from drugs while homeless has been branded a “travesty” after another official report exposed the scale of the country’s housing emergency. The National Records of Scotland (NRS) estimated 100 people died a drugs-related death without a place to live in 2023, up from 89 the previous year.
The figures showed an estimated 242 deaths among homeless people in 2023 – with this almost unchanged from the figure of 244 the previous year. Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin slammed the SNP Government for failing to get to grips with the country’s housing emergency.
“These deaths are a travesty for our country and a damning symbol of government failure,” he 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. As we head into winter, it is more urgent than ever that the SNP Government takes action to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency and get every Scot a safe, secure home.”
The comments came after NRS figures showed almost four-fifths (79%) of estimated deaths last year occurred in men, with only 21 per cent affecting females. NRS also found that exactly half of deaths had taken place among those aged under 45.
As well as recording fatalities among those sleeping on the streets, the data also included those living in temporary accommodation – including hostels, B&Bs and flats – at the time they died. Glasgow City Council and the City of Edinburgh Council areas had among the highest rates of homeless deaths per million people last year – as did the Shetland Islands and the Western Isles.
NRS noted that “small numbers of deaths can result in higher rates for areas with small populations”, adding that both the Shetland Islands and the Western Isles had an estimated three homeless deaths in 2023.
Meanwhile, there were an estimated 56 homeless deaths in the Glasgow City Council area – the highest of any local authority – and 49 in the Edinburgh City Council area. Beth Watson, senior assistant statistician at NRS, noted homeless deaths were “at a higher level” now than they were in 2017, when the data was first collected.
She said: “Our estimate shows the number of deaths among people experiencing homelessness in 2023 is similar to the level in 2022. Homeless deaths are at a higher level now compared to the 164 deaths in 2017, when these statistics were first collected.”
She added: “Half of homeless deaths in 2023 were people aged under 45, with the most common age group for both female and male deaths being 35 to 44.”
Matt Downie, chief executive of housing charity 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.
“Yet, the sad truth is that in many cases, these deaths will have been avoidable. Each year, more people are forced into homelessness, often trapped for long periods in emergency accommodation. We know how much damage that can do to your health.
“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. By allowing people to get help earlier, we can stop more people experiencing the damage that homelessness does.”
Housing minister Paul McLennan highlighted efforts by the Scottish Government to combat both homelessness and drug misuse. The SNP minister, who has faced calls to resign, stressed: “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.
“Scotland already has the strongest rights in the UK for people experiencing homelessness, but we are committed to ensuring that no-one need become homeless in the first place.
“That is why we are investing in the £100million multi-year ending homelessness together fund to prevent homelessness, end rough sleeping and reduce temporary accommodation use. This includes supporting local authorities to deliver Housing First, which has provided a settled home alongside personalised support to more than 1,800 people since 2019.
“We have also made record funding of more than £14billion available to councils in 2024-25 to deliver a range of services, including in homelessness.”
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