New findings from the Université de Sherbrooke reveal a significant surge in deaths within the homeless population in Quebec, with a rise of approximately 180% recorded between 2020 and 2024. The data indicates that while 45 individuals experiencing homelessness succumbed to death in 2020, this number escalated to 127 by 2024. Throughout this timeframe, a total of 400 unhoused individuals lost their lives in the province, with Montreal exhibiting the highest death rate per capita, closely followed by the Outaouais region.
Dr. David-Martin Milot, a public health physician and project supervisor, expressed profound sadness and concern over this distressing trend. The project aimed to shed light on the severity of the situation and emphasize the urgent need for interventions to address these escalating fatalities among the homeless community.
The study’s initial phase focused on deaths documented in Quebec coroners’ reports, which solely investigate cases where the circumstances surrounding the deaths are ambiguous. Consequently, the actual number of deaths among unhoused individuals is believed to be higher as deaths resulting from pre-existing medical conditions may not be flagged for coroner review.
To enhance the accuracy of death documentation, the research team recently launched an online form enabling individuals to report the demise of homeless persons. Prior to this initiative, there was no comprehensive data compiled on annual mortality rates among the homeless in Quebec.
The study revealed a 175% increase in deaths among unhoused men and a more pronounced 211% surge in fatalities among women. The average life expectancy for homeless men was approximately 47 years, significantly lower than the 80 years for those with stable housing. Similarly, homeless women had an average life expectancy of 42 years, contrasting sharply with the 84 years for women residing in permanent housing.
Diane Pilote, the executive director of Chez Doris, a women’s shelter in Montreal, expressed little surprise at the study’s outcomes. She noted a notable rise in the number of homeless women seeking shelter, emphasizing the scarcity of shelters catering to women and the elevated risks they face when lacking secure accommodations.
According to Alex Desjardins, a community development coordinator at Chez Doris, many homeless women encounter heightened vulnerability to violence due to their gender, often facing exploitation and abuse on the streets. Such traumatic experiences can deter women from seeking necessary medical assistance, underscoring the urgent need for improved support and protection for this vulnerable demographic.
In response to the escalating homeless crisis, Chez Doris has enlisted volunteer medical professionals to operate a clinic within the shelter, providing essential healthcare services to homeless individuals. Recognizing the pressing need to combat homelessness, Quebec authorities have allocated $28 million towards the expedited implementation of measures in regions significantly impacted by homelessness, including Greater Montreal, Quebec City, and the Outaouais region.