The Museum of Homelessness says 1,611 people died while experiencing homelessness in 2024 in the UK, up from 1,474 in 2023 and 1,313 in 2022. The charity has run the Dying Homeless Project since 2019, collecting figures through freedom of information requests, coroner inquests and memorials submitted by bereaved families. While rough sleeping is often linked to homelessness, the category also covers people living in temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts, hostels or other short-term housing arranged by local authorities.

Last year includes 11 children under 18. The breakdown shows four babies, four aged between one and nine, two aged 15 to 17, and one child whose age was unknown. Researchers say the figures are likely lower than the true scale because some local authorities only record deaths of people who have applied for homelessness help in temporary accommodation, rather than deaths of other family members linked to homelessness. Across the UK, there were 1,142 deaths in England, 211 in Northern Ireland, 168 in Scotland and 90 in Wales. England and Northern Ireland recorded year-on-year increases, while Scotland and Wales fell. The largest rises were in the South West, East Midlands and East of England, and about 44% of deaths in the dataset were linked to drugs or alcohol.

Project director Matthew Turtle said the data ‘shows how homeless people continue to be deeply failed’ and called for urgent action from the Government to alleviate this crisis. Gill Taylor, also from the project, said: ‘With heavy hearts, we report the deaths of 1,611 people who died whilst homeless in 2024. While it is positive that local authorities and safeguarding adult boards appear to be taking the issue more seriously, with better reporting and evidence of improved local partnership working to prevent deaths, turning the tide on this enormous loss of life needs more than better counting.’ Francesca Albanese of Crisis described the figures as ‘heart-breaking’ and said they ‘must drive home the need for the Westminster Government to urgently come forward with an ambitious strategy to end homelessness’. She added: ‘We are talking here about real people, including children – not just numbers. These are lives cut short and potential unrealised. In many cases, these deaths will have been avoidable. Each year, more people are forced into homelessness, often trapped for long periods in emergency accommodation. We know how much damage that can do to your health.’ Housing minister Alison McGovern said the Government is speeding up efforts to tackle the root causes of homelessness and added: ‘These figures are heartbreaking. Every loss of a life, especially the death of a child, is an abject failure that cannot be tolerated. We simply cannot accept this as normal. Every person deserves a safe place to call home, which is why we are accelerating efforts to tackle the root causes of homelessness, expanding access to safe accommodation whilst also strengthening support services.’