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“Human lives tragically cut short”: Crisis in Wales responds to new data on people dying while homeless

01.10.2026

Data released today (Thursday 1 October) reveal the devastating impact of homelessness on society.  

New data provided by the ONS states that 63 people died in Wales during 2025 - more than double the number recorded in 2021, when this data was last published. 

Analysis of this data shows:

  • The average age of death for people experiencing homelessness was just 43 for women and 47 for men, showing people’s lives are being cut short by decades because they have nowhere safe to live.   
  • Official government data on the number of people who have died while experiencing homelessness has not been published since 2022, highlighting a lack of routinely published, in-depth evidence on the outcomes and impacts of homelessness.  

These sobering figures come as Crisis prepares for an incredibly busy winter, supporting thousands in insecure accommodation across Britain, providing food, companionship and support with housing, benefits and training.  

Fewer than 1% of private rented homes in Wales are affordable to people on housing benefit and rents continue to rise. This, the charity says, will see more and more households pushed into poverty as they struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living. Crisis in Wales urges the UK Government to commit to increasing housing benefit in the upcoming Autumn Budget so that more people can be protected from the harms of homelessness.  

Responding to the figures Sara Faye, Head of Policy and Communications at Crisis in Wales, said:

“We cannot lose sight of the human beings behind these statistics.   

“We can and must do more to prevent homelessness and protect people from this trauma.   

"The UK Government must unfreeze housing benefit so that it reflects the real cost of renting, and in Wales we must see the new Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation Act properly resourced and implemented.  

"With the right action and investment, from both governments, we can prevent more people being pushed into homelessness and make sure everyone in Wales has a safe, secure and affordable home."  

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