Scottish homeless deaths - better data could save lives

The Salvation Army is renewing calls for all local councils in Scotland to record the cause of death for people housed in temporary accommodation and gather more accurate information on people sleeping rough as estimated data for homeless deaths in 2023 is published by National Records of Scotland (NRS). 

The statistics show 242 people died while homeless in 2023, similar to last year’s figure of 244. The number where drugs were a factor increased from 89 to 100, accounting for 41 per cent of all estimated deaths while homeless last year, up from 36 per cent last year.

The Church and Charity is warning that many of these deaths might 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 offer a minimum of advice, assistance and temporary accommodation to all homeless households and those at risk of homelessness depending on individual circumstances. However, there is no obligation to note on a death certificate whether the person was homeless when they died. 

Helen Murdoch, Assistant Director of Homelessness at The Salvation Army in Scotland, said: 

“The number of people dying in Scotland while homeless is grimly predictable and the increase in drug-related deaths is worrying. I am concerned that we simply do not have sufficient detail needed to identify trends or matters calling for 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 skilful 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 is why we are calling for all local authorities in Scotland to analyse the cause of death of people who die while in temporary accommodation arranged by the council or in a Housing First tenancy.”

The figures released today include the available data for people in temporary accommodation in 2023. Not all local councils collate this information and statistics for people sleeping rough are based on very limited data available to provide an estimate. 

Helen Murdoch added:

“We would like to see a similar system to London’s CHAIN in place for areas in Scotland with high instances of rough sleeping. It provides real time information on people sleeping on the streets through a network of people and organisations participating, allowing charities and councils to act on the figures. For example, the quarterly CHAIN figures in June this year showed a sharp rise of 29 per cent from April – June 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. In Scotland, there is no equivalent process for identifying a worrying spike such as this.”