Andrew Funk knows firsthand how quickly life can unravel. After his business collapsed in Barcelona in 2015, the Minnesota-born entrepreneur lost his home and daily contact with his son. His experience later led him to found Homeless Entrepreneur, an organization focused on helping people experiencing homelessness rebuild stability and reconnect with society through work.
Recounting his experience on the Roca Project podcast, Funk described the personal toll of being unable to comfort his son while homeless. His story also points to a broader reality: homelessness is not limited to sleeping outdoors. It can mean losing income and support networks, along with a sense of belonging, with consequences for physical and mental health.
The Hidden Dangers
Mortality data reflect the risks associated with homelessness, though the figures vary information from whom they count. National Records of Scotland estimated that 231 people experiencing homelessness died in Scotland in 2024, about 40% more than in 2017. Separately, Homefinder UK reported a Museum of Homelessness estimate of at least 1,720 deaths among people experiencing homelessness across the United Kingdom in 2025, a 6.8% increase on the previous year. That broader total includes people sleeping rough as well as those living in insecure housing, including temporary and supported accommodation, so it is not directly comparable with counts limited to deaths outdoors.
Frontline services also see the health burden. Simon Hewett-Avison, chief executive of Homeless Oxfordshire, told Cherwell that “the average age of death in the homeless population is early 40s” and that poor physical and mental health is far more prevalent than in society as a whole. Cold and hunger are only part of the danger: exhaustion and insecurity, along with exposure to violence and social isolation, can compound existing health problems and make it harder to access care.
National Records of Scotland has consulted on proposed changes to how it publishes statistics on deaths among people experiencing homelessness, including a possible move from annual to two-yearly publication. The consultation concerns the release schedule, not a change to the underlying death figures or the definition of homelessness.
Restoring Autonomy
Homeless Entrepreneur is built on the idea that recovery involves more than immediate assistance; it also means restoring autonomy. The organization connects people seeking to return to work and participate in society with training that can lead to job opportunities, alongside support networks. Employment can help rebuild confidence and independence, but lasting progress also depends on continued support.
Funk’s experience in Barcelona shaped his commitment to creating pathways out of homelessness. The approach is practical: recognize people’s skills, build confidence, and help them move toward greater independence rather than defining them by their circumstances.
The Power of Language
Funk has also challenged language that reduces people to their housing status. He favors the Spanish phrase “personas sin hogar,” meaning people without a home, over labels such as “vagabundo” or “indigente,” as well as “sintecho.” He argues that people experiencing homelessness retain their identities, histories, and individual circumstances.
Social indifference can deepen the harm. People living on the street may be overlooked in public spaces and shut out of the relationships and services that help others cope with hardship. Treating them with dignity is necessary to recognize their needs and support recovery.
Looking Forward
Funk describes homelessness as a turning point that shaped both his life and his mission. His message is about shared responsibility: identify people at risk, respond before a crisis deepens, and provide support that helps them regain control over their lives.
Homelessness remains a complex challenge in Spain and across Europe, shaped by economic instability and limited access to affordable housing, with gaps in social support adding to the strain. Statistics from Scotland and the United Kingdom show the scale of mortality among people experiencing homelessness, while their differing definitions underline the need to distinguish street homelessness from wider housing insecurity. The human consequences are measured in deaths, as well as in health, connection, and dignity.
