Charity calls for long-term action as homeless deaths hit record hig
The Wallich says says long-term support and affordable housing are needed to prevent more deaths after 63 people experiencing homelessness died in Wales last year.
A record 63 people experiencing homelessness died in Wales in 2025, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The number has more than doubled from 24 deaths recorded in 2015, with charities warning the true figure could be significantly higher.
Cardiff recorded the highest number of deaths in Wales, with 26, followed by Swansea with seven and Wrexham with five.
Across England and Wales, the ONS estimated 974 deaths among people experiencing homelessness last year – an increase of 77% over the past decade.
But charities say official figures do not capture the full scale of the issue.
The Museum of Homelessness' Dying Homeless Project recorded 1,720 deaths in 2025, including 51 children. It says its figures draw on coroners' enquiries, media reports, family testimony and Freedom of Information requests.
Jamie-Lee Cole, Strategic Communications Lead at homelessness charity The Wallich, said the deaths were a “real national shame”.
“The vast majority of deaths of people while they are homeless have been due to drugs, alcohol or suicide related deaths,” she said.
“Drug deaths, alcohol deaths and suicide relatable deaths are entirely preventable with the right support.”
She said longer periods spent in temporary accommodation were also affecting people's mental health.
“When you're in that period of limbo for an extended period of time, that rapidly affects your mental health,” she said.
Ms Cole called for long-term solutions, saying: “We know what works. We just need to accelerate that.”