Five people died whilst living on the streets in West Dunbartonshire in 2022, new figures show

The data released by the National Records for Scotland reports that 244 homeless deaths took place in Scotland last year, with almost half of all estimated homeless deaths coming from people under 45.

A “housing emergency” across Dumbarton and the Vale has been declared by the area’s MSP after it was revealed that five people are estimated to have died while homeless in West Dunbartonshire last year.

The data released by the National Records for Scotland reports that 244 homeless deaths took place in Scotland last year, with almost half of all estimated homeless deaths coming from people under 45.

For West Dunbartonshire, the figure sat at five.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has said that ‘one death is one too many’ and that both the SNP and the Greens are ‘in denial’ about the scale of Scotland’s housing crisis.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP says she is inundated with enquiries on an almost daily basis from people across Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven, Helensburgh and Lomond who are inadequately housed however both West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Councils are struggling with a lack of properties.

Meanwhile data released in September revealed that 210 households with children across West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute have been stuck in temporary accommodation for between six months and one year.

Ms Baillie said: “These truly heartbreaking figures lay bare the scale of Scotland’s housing crisis.

“Every single life lost due to homelessness is a tragedy and even one death is one too many. Each number represents someone let down by the systems which are meant to support them.

“There is a chronic lack of social housing across Scotland and I am all too aware of the problems which exist locally.

“I constantly hear from constituents across the area who are struggling to find an appropriate house for their needs and size.

“In the past year, homelessness has hit a record high, mortgages have soared, and under the SNP new home building has plummeted.

“The SNP and the Greens are in complete denial about the work that needs to be done to reverse the problems.

“We simply cannot sit idly by and allow this tragedy to continue.

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

Argyll and Bute Council has already declared a housing emergency and it was estimated that there were two homeless deaths in the area over the same period.

The figures come one week after the SNP rejected Labour’s motion to declare a housing crisis in Scotland, to put pressure on the Scottish Government to tackle rising rent prices and “inappropriate” accommodation for those experiencing homelessness.

A council spokeswoman said: “Every death of a homeless person is an individual tragedy and we remain committed to working with partners to ensure the most vulnerable people in West Dunbartonshire get the support they need.

“We continue to take steps to address rising homelessness presentations through initiatives like our Home at the Heart Rapid Rehousing programme which provides more settled homes and enhanced person-centred support to the most vulnerable members of our community; providing advice on employment, benefits and health; offering support to ensure the root causes of people finding themselves homeless are addressed; and progressing our new build and buyback programme so housing stock reflects the complex needs of people who present as homeless.”

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “Every death of a homeless person is a tragedy and the Scottish Government is doing everything it can to prevent such cases.

“The housing sector across the UK is feeling the impact of sky-high interest rates and inflation caused by the mini-budget and Brexit.

“Despite that, since 2007 Scotland has led the UK in housing with 123,985 affordable homes delivered since 2007, including over 87,000 for social rent.”

He added that Holyrood had committed £3.5bn for 10,000 affordable homes, 70 percent of which will be for social rent.

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