UK Records 1,611 Homeless Deaths in 2024, Highest Ever with Rise in Drug Suicides

In 2024, the UK saw a record high of 1,611 homeless deaths, marking a 9% increase from the previous year, with many deaths linked to suicide and drug use, particularly deadly synthetic opioids like spice and nitazines. Data compiled by the Museum of Homelessness, which fills the gap left by the government's cessation of official statistics, shows that the majority of the deceased were men living in temporary supported accommodation rather than on the streets, highlighting systemic failures in housing and social support. The rise in deaths reflects broader issues including trauma, mental health challenges, poverty, and inadequate housing policies, with some regions like Nottingham and Exeter experiencing more than a doubling of deaths. Scotland stands out as the only nation to reduce homeless deaths, credited to stronger housing support under SNP governance. Charities and officials describe the situation as a result of political choices that have dismantled protective systems and call for urgent government action to address homelessness as a national emergency. Personal tragedies, such as the death of Anthony Marks and the unattended funeral of a homeless woman in Sheffield, underscore the human cost behind these statistics.