HELENSBURGH and Lomond's MSP has called for more action on homelessness despite deaths falling.

There has been a drop in the number of homeless deaths in Argyll and Bute according to recently-released figures.

There was the equivalent of one death in the area in 2023 compared to two the year before.
But Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dunbartonshire, hit out at the Scottish Government for not doing enough to curb fatalities.

There were a total of 242 homeless deaths in Scotland last year, down from 244 the year before.

In Argyll and Bute, there were 17.6 deaths per one million population, equating to one death. Ms Baillie said it dropped from two deaths in 2022.

Neighbouring West Dunbartonshire had one of the highest rates of deaths for homeless people in the country - the fifth highest.

READ MORE: Number of Argyll and Bute homeless deaths revealed in data

Ms Baillie said: "Any death is tragic but homeless people are amongst some of the most vulnerable in our society.

“The tragic toll of homeless deaths recorded shows that many die before their time, with half of all deaths in the under 45s, and many due to avoidable causes.

“It reflects a total and catastrophic failure of the SNP Scottish Government’s policies on public health and housing.

“We have known for some time that a housing crisis existed in Scotland, Argyll and Bute Council was the first in the country to declare an official crisis amongst housing stock, long before the Scottish Government recognised the issue.

“It took the SNP until the end of May this year, under duress, to declare a national housing emergency and they did it without a clear plan to tackle the issue.

“This is something that Argyll and Bute Council recognised as a problem in June 2023.”

Jackie Baillie MSPJackie Baillie MSP (Image: Newsquest) She added: “These tragic deaths come as a reflection of the housing emergency currently engulfing Scotland and of the failings seen in Scotland’s public services under the SNP.

“We are now heading into an expected cold snap and the height of winter and the SNP still does not have a plan to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency.

“All of these people have been failed by a broken system.

“A great many of the residents who seek my help within the constituency require housing or rehousing to meet their needs.

“Make no mistake, there is a real and absolute crisis facing the social housing sector and social landlords lack the funds to create much-needed new stock.

“The SNP must now deliver a plan which sees the creation of more social housing and better financing for councils, to allow the delivery of frontline services.”

The Scottish Government said they were investing £600 million this year in affordable homes.

Housing minister Paul McLennan said: “Every premature and preventable death is a tragedy and I send my deepest condolences to those affected by the loss of friends or family who were homeless.

“Scotland already has the strongest rights in the UK for people experiencing homelessness, but we are committed to ensuring that no one need become homeless in the first place.

“The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which is currently at stage one, will place a stronger emphasis on homelessness prevention based on better coordination across services and providing support earlier.

“This will help people avoid the crisis of homelessness and the longer term harms associated with it.”