A record 1,611 homeless people lost their lives across the UK in 2024, marking a 9% increase compared to 2023, according to new data from the Museum of Homelessness.
The majority of these deaths were attributed to suicide or the use of street drugs, highlighting the worsening crisis faced by people without stable housing.
England recorded a 16% rise in homeless deaths compared with the previous year, while Scotland saw an 18% decrease, suggesting uneven progress across the country.
The Museum of Homelessness compiled the data using reports from coroner’s courts, media coverage, family testimonies, and information obtained through freedom of information requests.
Official statistics on homeless deaths were previously published by the Office for National Statistics, but the practice was discontinued in 2022.
Campaigners have criticised the government’s lack of transparency and called for renewed efforts to tackle the root causes of homelessness, including inadequate housing, poor mental health support, and the ongoing drug crisis.