Abject failure’ as UK’s homeless deaths rise – including children

At least 1,611 homeless people died in the UK last year, including 11 children, latest figures suggest.

The Museum of Homelessness gathers data annually from freedom of information requests, coroner inquests, and memorials submitted by bereaved family members.

It said its 2024 figure was a 9% rise on the previous year, which stood at 1,474. In 2022, it was 1,313.

Of the 11 children reported to have died in 2024, four were babies who had not yet reached their first birthday.

The government’s homelessness minister, Alison McGovern MP, described the number of deaths as an “abject failure that cannot be tolerated”.

But the museum, which has been running its Dying Homeless Project since 2019, said its figures are likely lower than the true scale of deaths and homelessness.

Some local authorities may only record a death once they have applied to their local council as homeless and died in temporary accommodation.

Homelessness does not just include rough sleepers, but also those staying in places like bed and breakfasts, hostels, and other short-term housing organised by local authorities.

According to the most recent government figures, published in July, there were a record number of households in temporary accommodation in England – at 131,140.

A Sky News investigation earlier last year found children are spending more than five years in such housing.

The museum’s project director Matthew Turtle said their data “shows how homeless people continue to be deeply failed” and called for “urgent action” from the government.

Minister Ms McGovern said the government is “expanding access to safe accommodation while also strengthening support services”.

“We simply cannot accept this as normal,” she added.

Labour pledged £1bn to councils to help deal with homelessness last year.