Dumfries and Galloway homeless deaths reach lowest number on record

Dumfries and Galloway Tromshomeless deaths fall to record low

The number of people dying while homeless in Dumfries and Galloway has reached the lowest figure on record. According to new data from the National Records of Scotland, only one person without a home died in Dumfries and Galloway last year, a significant drop from seven deaths in 2021. This marks the lowest number since the NRS began collecting data in 2017, with the previous peak being two deaths in 2020. The region now has a death rate of 10.8 per one million people.

Across Scotland, it is estimated that 242 homeless individuals died last year, slightly lower than the 244 deaths recorded in 2022. Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland, expressed concern over the situation, stating that no one should be passing away without a safe and permanent place to call home. She urged the government to take urgent and radical action to address the housing crisis.

Earlier this year, Dumfries and Galloway Council declared a housing emergency following a series of challenges. There were nearly 700 cases where homeless individuals were accommodated in B&Bs, with the council failing to meet government standards in 318 instances. As of March 31 this year, 243 households were living in temporary accommodation, up from 181 cases in each of the previous three years.

The NRS data highlights that in Scotland, drug misuse accounted for 41% of all estimated homeless deaths, with the number of deaths rising from 89 to 100. The Salvation Army in Scotland expressed concern over the lack of detailed information regarding homeless deaths, calling for better monitoring of individuals in temporary accommodation.

Scotland’s Housing Minister, Paul McLennan, stressed the government’s commitment to preventing homelessness and providing support for those in need. Measures such as the ending homelessness together fund and the promotion of Housing First initiatives aim to tackle the root causes of homelessness and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation.

In conclusion, while Dumfries and Galloway has seen a welcome reduction in homeless deaths, the broader challenges of homelessness and housing insecurity persist across Scotland. Continued efforts and investments are needed to ensure that everyone has access to safe and stable housing, ultimately preventing further tragedies in the future.