Deaths among homeless people in the UK have risen by 12% in a year, as reported by the Museum of Homelessness, highlighting what they term as a “national emergency”. Their research indicates that at least 1,474 individuals died while homeless in the UK during 2023, compared to 1,313 deaths recorded in 2022. Specifically, deaths of people sleeping rough saw a sharp increase of 42%, rising from 109 to 155 in just one year. The Museum of Homelessness has been conducting the Dying Homeless Project since 2019, collecting data through freedom of information requests, coroners inquests, and submissions from bereaved family members.
The data revealed a concerning trend of “deaths of despair”, where nearly half (47%) of the known causes of death involved alcohol, drugs, and suicide. In 2023, it was suggested that at least 38 people experiencing homelessness died by suicide. Gill Taylor, the strategic lead for the project, expressed disappointment at some local authorities’ failure to provide data, emphasising that tracking and learning from these deaths is crucial in preventing further loss of life. Matt Turtle, the project’s co-director, called for increased support, describing the current systems for those in poverty and homelessness as broken. He stressed the urgent need for more off-street accommodation and winter shelters.
The project plans to hold a vigil outside Downing Street to raise awareness, alongside other organisations supporting the homeless such as the Simon Community, Streets Kitchen, and The Outside Project. According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, each of these deaths represents a tragic loss. They acknowledged the rise in homelessness as a significant issue and highlighted government efforts to address it, including forming a dedicated cross-government group to develop a long-term strategy to end homelessness.
The stark statistics and personal stories behind each death underscore the pressing need for comprehensive support systems and proactive measures to tackle homelessness and its associated challenges. With advocates and organisations calling for concrete actions, the spotlight remains on policymakers and communities to come together to address this critical issue and prevent further loss of life on the streets.