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

Perth and Kinross did not record a single homeless death in 2023
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)


Perth and Kinross recorded no homeless deaths at all last year, according to new National Records of Scotland (NRS) figures.

Statistics published by the NRS show that there wasn’t single homeless death recorded across the Perth and Kinross Council area.

That is down from the prior year’s figure – when two deaths were recorded.

Similarly, in 2021 the region also recorded no deaths. Homeless deaths spiked in 2019, when the area recorded five deaths.

Beth Watson, NRS senior assistant statistician, said: “Our estimate shows the number of deaths among people experiencing homelessness in 2023 is similar to the level in 2022.

"Homeless deaths are at a higher level now compared to the 164 deaths in 2017, when these statistics were first collected.

READ MORE: Scots firm with cheeky name reveals advert signage at Premiership outfit St Johnstone

READ MORE: Mobile phone ban at Perthshire school has made pupils 'more sociable and created safer space'

“Half of homeless deaths in 2023 were people aged under 45, with the most common age group for both female and male deaths being 35 to 44.”

Click here for more news and sport from the Perthshire area.

Housing charity Shelter called for more to be done to tackle Scotland's housing crisis following the publication of the report.

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said: “People should not be dying with nowhere safe and permanent to call home, but that is the grim reality of Scotland’s housing emergency.

“Earlier this year the Scottish Government declared a housing emergency but we’ve yet to see the kind of urgent, radical, response we need to end it.

“If ministers are serious about tackling Scotland’s housing emergency then they need to use the forthcoming budget to address the chronic shortage of social homes, and make sure failing local homelessness services have the resources they need to do their job.”

According to the figures, Perth and Kinross’ estimated death rate per million of the population in 2022 was 20.3 – which dropped to zero last year.

Nationally, an estimated 242 people died while homeless in Scotland last year – down by two on the 2022 figure.

The number nationally who died from drug misuse deaths whilst experiencing homelessness increased from 89 to 100. Drug misuse accounted for 41-per cent of all estimated deaths while homeless last year.

Men accounted for the majority of homeless deaths, at 79-per cent, with women accounting for 21-per cent.