Scotland’s 231 estimated homeless deaths a ‘tragedy’, says Housing Secretary

Scotland recorded an estimated 231 deaths amongst homeless people in 2024 – with Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan describing them as being a “tragedy”.

She spoke out as National Records of Scotland (NRS) figures showed the death total was down slightly from the 242 estimated deaths in 2023 – with experts stressing the change was “not statistically significant”.

However, the total is 40.8% higher than the 164 estimated deaths amongst homeless people in 2017 – the first year the statistics were produced.

Of the most recent deaths, 208 were identified from death registration records, with 23 further fatalities estimated using statistical modelling.

Phillipa Haxton, head of vital events statistics for NRS, said: “We estimate 231 people died while they were in temporary accommodation or sleeping rough in 2024.

“This is similar to the estimate of 242 for the year before and not a statistically significant fall.”

More than three quarters (78%) of those who died in 2024 were male, while almost half (49%) involved people under the age of 45.

The data also showed the City of Edinburgh council area had the highest rate of homeless deaths, with an estimated 95 deaths per million people aged 15 to 74.

Across Scotland, drug misuse was responsible for about a third (34%) of homeless deaths in 2024 – compared to just 5% of all deaths in those aged 15 to 74 that year.

External causes, including drug misuse, accidents, suicides and assaults, accounted for almost half (47%) of homeless deaths.

Deaths of the circulatory system, including heart disease and stroke, were responsible for 13% of homeless deaths.

Ms Haxton added: “Deaths of people going through homelessness occur at younger ages than those in the population generally.

“They are also more likely to be from external causes which includes drug-related deaths, accidents, suicide and assaults.

“External causes account for 10% of deaths in all people aged 15 to 74 but half of deaths among those who were homeless when they died.”

Ms McAllan said: “Every death of someone who is homeless is a tragedy and my heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of those affected.”

While she stressed Scotland “already has some of the strongest homelessness rights in the world”, she said ministers “want to go even further”.

The Housing Secretary said the government would “be introducing gold-standard homelessness prevention measures, to ensure people get help before they reach crisis point”.

She continued: “A safe, warm and affordable home is key to a life of health and dignity. In the 2026-27 Budget, we have committed a record investment of £4.9 billion over the next four years, which will deliver 36,000 homes.

“The latest annual NRS figures found drug deaths in Scotland were down 13% and at their lowest since 2017, but we want to do more to save and improve lives and will continue to work hard to improve services.

“We are widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone. We opened the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility and are working with partners to get drug-checking services up and running as soon as possible.”