New research shows 1474 homeless people died in 2023 - a mounting national crisis revealed

Our new research has revealed another increase in the number of people dying while homeless in the UK – with nationwide figures reaching 1474 in 2023, a 12% increase on the numbers recorded by the study in 2022. 

These statistics include people sleeping rough as well as those placed in emergency accommodation and other insecure settings. Each fatality was verified by a freedom of information request, coroners’ report, charity or family member. We are very sad to be sharing this information and we’ll be hosting a national vigil to remember those who we have lost on 17 October, outside Downing Street.

Strategic Lead Gill Taylor said:

“We are deeply concerned that people who experience homelessness in Northern England are hit with a double blow of inequality; not only by the experience of homelessness but also by the far-reaching intergenerational inequalities felt time and again by northern towns and cities. 15 years of austerity has made this much worse and we need urgent action from the new government.”

A mounting crisis

Our research has found:

• There is an emergency on our streets with the deaths of people sleeping rough up by 42% in one year vs 2022 across the UK

• Across all forms of homelessness, fatalities increased by 12% vs our 2022 figures.

• 20% more young adults experiencing homelessness completed suicide

• People experiencing homelessness are at least 3 times more likely to be murdered.

• The data shows stark regional inequalities in England with people in rural areas dying up to 10 years younger and the North East being highest death rate outside London.

There is evidence of a consistent crisis across the UK, with ‘deaths of despair’ (drugs, alcohol or suicide) making up the largest proportion of cause of death in the community of people experiencing homelessness. Where we know cause of death these deaths make up almost half of the total. (47%) For example the investigation documented a 59% increase in the number of people who died whilst homeless in Cardiff, with 58% of those deaths fitting the category of ‘deaths of despair’. 

Furthermore, the deaths of people sleeping rough has increased by 42% compared to a 27% rise in the number of people sleeping rough. This unacceptable increase is likely due to the reduction in ‘off the streets’ accommodation and in particular the widespread closure of winter shelters since the start of the covid-19 pandemic. More provision is needed to save lives.

We found that people experiencing homelessness are at least 3 x more likely to be murdered. Our investigation showed that people are especially vulnerable to a violent death when needing to rely on someone else for shelter or help. These deaths are tragedies that should never occur.

That 39 people experiencing homelessness, and probably many more, died by suicide in 2023 is also a tragedy that should trigger urgent action. Barriers to accessing mental health support remain a significant issue for people experiencing homelessness, as does the isolation and mistrust arising from surveillance and enforcement action taken by police, councils and private security firms.

Of 39 total suicides, 18 (47%) were of people under 35 years old which represents a 20% increase compared with our investigation’s findings in 2022. There is growing evidence nationally about the burden of mental distress young people are carrying, and in particular on LGBTQ+ young people. Although whole population data suggests the age group most at risk of suicide is those between 45-54, our findings suggest that homeless young people face discrete risks around suicide that should be considered a priority for action

Co-director Matt Turtle said “The systems of care for people living with poverty and homelessness is in tatters after 15 years of cuts and corruption. This could not be laid out more starkly than in these findings. As yet the new government has not set out plans to mitigate the damage caused by the last government. Our analysis indicates things are set to get much grimmer, unless the government acts now to save lives.”

On 20th October, MoH will host it’s live recording of it’s monthly Deep Dive podcast with a focus on this year’s investigation, to find out more and to book click here.

For further info please reach out to:

Gill Taylor, Strategic Lead, gill@museumofhomelessness.org

Jess Turtle, Co-Director, jess@museumofhomelessness.org

Matt Turtle, Co-Director, matt@museumofhomelessness.org