Perth and Kinross records no homeless deaths in 2023 as new report published

Perth and Kinross has achieved a significant milestone by reporting zero homeless deaths in 2023, as documented in a recently released report by the National Records of Scotland. The data reveals a stark improvement from the previous year, which witnessed two recorded deaths in the region. In contrast, in 2021, there were also no reported deaths related to homelessness. Noteworthy is the spike in homeless deaths in 2019, when five fatalities were recorded in the area.

The figures provided by the NRS show a consistent level of homeless deaths in 2023 compared to the preceding year. Despite this, the current statistics reflect a higher rate of homeless deaths when juxtaposed with the initial data collected in 2017, where 164 deaths were documented. Beth Watson, NRS senior assistant statistician, highlighted that half of the homeless deaths in 2023 were individuals under 45 years old, with the most common age group for both genders being 35 to 44.

Housing charity Shelter has called for intensified efforts to address Scotland’s housing crisis following the release of the report. Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, emphasised the urgency for a robust response to end the housing emergency, underscoring the necessity for an increased allocation of resources to improve local homelessness services and alleviate the chronic shortage of social housing.

Additionally, the report reveals that the estimated death rate per million of the population in Perth and Kinross plummeted from 20.3 in 2022 to zero in 2023. Nationally, Scotland recorded an estimated 242 homeless deaths last year, a marginal decrease from the 2022 figures. Alarmingly, the number of deaths due to drug misuse among those experiencing homelessness rose from 89 to 100, constituting 41% of all estimated deaths within this demographic. Furthermore, men accounted for 79% of the homeless deaths, with women comprising the remaining 21%.

In conclusion, Perth and Kinross’s achievement of zero homeless deaths in 2023 is commendable and signifies progress in addressing homelessness within the region. However, the persistent challenges highlighted in the report underscore the ongoing need for comprehensive strategies and increased support to combat homelessness effectively across Scotland.