Figures released today (Tuesday 28 November) show the highest ever number of estimated homeless deaths in Dumfries and Galloway in 2022.

The statistics show there were seven estimated homeless deaths in the region in 2022, compared to three in 2021. These statistics reach back to 2017 and 2022 shows the highest number.

South Scotland Colin Smyth MSP has said ‘one death is too many’ and warned that both the Scottish Government must take action to deal with the scale of Scotland’s housing crisis .

Colin Smyth said: “These truly heart-breaking figures lay bare the scale of our housing crisis.

“Every single life lost due to homelessness in our region is a tragedy, and even one death is too many.

“Each number represents someone who was let down by the system meant to support them and lost their life because of it.

“We simply cannot sit idly by and allow this tragedy to continue, the Scottish Government must take urgent action.

“We need to declare a housing emergency in Scotland right now and work with local charities and authorities to ensure as much support as possible is given to those experiencing homelessness.

“The fact that homelessness in Dumfries and Galloway is growing at an alarming late, in particular the number of children in temporary accommodation, raises the fear that the number of lives lost among homeless people will continue to rise.”

The news of the increase in deaths follows recent figures that showed a 25 per cent increase in homelessness applications in 2022-23 within Dumfries and Galloway, compared to 2021-22.

The figures rose from 998 to 1,252. The number of children associated with applications assessed as homeless or threatened by homelessness also rose in the region by 13% in the past year to 381- with the number of children living in temporary accommodation rising by a shocking 67% between 2022 and 2023.

Across Scotland, 39,006 homelessness applications were made in the past year, marking a stark increase of 3,247 compared to 2021-22. This is the highest number of applications since records began.