statistically published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) found that around 242 people died while homeless in Scotland in 2023, similar to the figure of 244 in 2022.

The number of people who died from drug abuse while experiencing homelessness rose from 89 to 100. Drug abuse accounted for 41 percent of all estimated deaths while homeless last year. Of those who died homeless, 79% were men and 21% were women.

Beth Watson, senior assistant statistician, said: “Our estimate shows that the number of homeless deaths 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 collected first.

“Half of homeless deaths in 2023 were under the age of 45, with the most common age group for deaths in women and men being 35 to 44.”

About 56 percent of homeless deaths were classified as “external causes,” which include most deaths from drug abuse, accidents, suicides, and assaults. In comparison, 6% of all deaths in 2023 were caused by external causes.

Responding to the figures, The Salvation Army is renewing calls for all local councils in Scotland to record the cause of death of people in temporary accommodation and to gather more accurate information about rough sleepers.

The church and charity warn that many of these deaths could have been prevented, but without accurate data it is very difficult to target effective support and prevention services for people experiencing homelessness.

By law in Scotland, local authorities must provide a minimum of advice, support and temporary accommodation to all homeless households and those at risk of homelessness, depending on individual circumstances. However, there is no requirement to state on the death certificate whether the person was homeless when they died.

Helen Murdoch, assistant director of homelessness at The Salvation Army Scotland, said: “The number of people dying in Scotland while homeless is grimly predictable and the rise in drug-related deaths is worrying. I’m concerned that we simply don’t have enough detail needed to identify trends or issues that require a quick response. There is no specific question on a death certificate asking if a person was homeless, and the figures released today include some clever and carefully assembled guesswork.

“Councils are well placed to add depth and accuracy to these tragic statistics as all deaths must be registered with the local authority. That’s why we are calling on all local authorities in Scotland to look into the cause of death of people who die in council-arranged temporary accommodation or in a Housing First tenancy.”

The figures include data available for people in temporary accommodation such as flats, houses, hotels and hostels in 2023. Not all local councils collect this information and statistics for rough sleepers are based on very limited data available for provide an estimate.

Helen Murdoch added: “We would like to see a system similar to the London chain in place for areas of Scotland with high cases of rough sleeping. It provides real-time information about people sleeping rough through a network of participating people and organisations, enabling charities and councils to act on the numbers.

“For example, CHAIN’s quarterly figures in June this year showed a sharp increase of 29% from April to June 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. In Scotland, there is no equivalent process for identifying a peak of concern like this.”

Homelessness charity Cyrenians said services needed a complete overhaul to prevent avoidable deaths of homeless people.

Cyrenians pointed to figures showing that more than half of people who died while homeless were from “external causes”, including assaults, suicides and drug overdoses – all of which the charity said could be prevented .

Amy Hutton, director of services at Cyrenians, said: “242 people died while homeless in Scotland last year – almost half of them from ‘external causes’ including assaults, suicide and drug overdoses. All things we know are preventable.

“Each of these deaths is a tragedy that is felt deeply by the people who loved them and by the frontline staff working in homelessness services who experience loss all too often. The homelessness system needs to get better at supporting people before they become so vulnerable that their lives are at risk. Preventing homelessness saves lives.”

Matt Downie, chief executive of the charity Crisis, said the figures should be “a wake-up call to politicians of every party”.

Mr Downie said: “The sad truth is that in many cases these deaths will be avoidable.

“Each year, more and more people are forced into homelessness, often stuck for long periods of emergency accommodation. We know how much damage they can do to your health.

“But it doesn’t have to be that way. We urgently need the Scottish Government and the Opposition to push ahead with plans to prevent homelessness in the first place.”

In response to statistics showing that around 19 over-65s will die while homeless in Scotland in 2023, Debbie Horne, director of policy and public affairs at Independent Age Scotland, said: ” It is a social injustice and a human tragedy that the estimated number of elderly homeless deaths in 2023 has risen to 19.

“Every single person dying while homeless highlights the fact that more needs to be done to ensure that no older person experiences homelessness in the first place.

“All tenants in Scotland, including those in later life, need to see the Housing (Scotland) Bill progress as soon as possible. The bill provides much of what renters need to see, including homelessness prevention measures that will help address the housing crisis. Our research has shown that almost 1 in 6 older private tenants are worried they will be evicted in the next 12 months. A greater focus on early intervention and homeless resources can be addressed through the duties proposed in the housing bill. Today’s figures show how vital this work is.”

Housing Minister Paul Mclennan highlighted the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle both homelessness and drug abuse.

Mr Mclennan said: “Any premature and preventable death is a tragedy and I offer 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 making sure no one has to become homeless in the first place.

“That’s why we’re investing in the £100m multi-year fund to end homelessness, prevent homelessness, end rough sleeping and reduce temporary housing use.

“We have also made a record funding of more than £14 billion available to councils in 2024-25 to deliver a range of services, including homelessness.”

He added: “Through our £250m national drugs mission, we are taking a wide range of actions, including opening the UK’s first safer drug use pilot facility, working towards drug control facilities and expanding access to life-saving naloxone.

“We have maintained £112 million for local alcohol and drug partnerships (ADPs) for treatment and support services.

“We are investing almost £600m this year in affordable homes, including an extra £40m to increase the availability of affordable and social housing through purchase and bring long-term gaps back into use.”