New research by the Université de Sherbrooke reveals a concerning trend in Quebec, showing a significant 180% increase in deaths among homeless individuals between 2020 and 2024. The number of deaths rose from 45 in 2020 to 127 in 2024, totaling 400 fatalities over the period. Montreal recorded the highest death rate per capita, followed by the Outaouais region.
Dr. David-Martin Milot, a public health physician overseeing the project, expressed deep sorrow over the findings and stressed the importance of understanding the situation to tailor effective interventions.
The study aimed to shed light on the severity of the issue and create a sense of urgency around it. The initial phase analyzed deaths reported in Quebec coroners’ reports, but this figure may be higher as only cases with unclear circumstances are investigated.
To improve the accuracy of documenting these deaths, a new online form has been launched to report homeless fatalities. Before this initiative, there was no comprehensive data on annual homeless deaths in Quebec.
The study revealed a 175% increase in deaths among homeless men and a more significant 211% rise among homeless women. The average life expectancy for homeless men was approximately 47 years, compared to 80 years for those with stable housing. Homeless women had an even lower life expectancy, averaging 42 years, in contrast to 84 years for housed women.
Advocates like Na’kuset from the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal emphasized the urgent need for increased government funding to provide housing, especially for Indigenous women who represent a significant portion of homeless deaths.
The findings were not surprising to Diane Pilote, the executive director of Chez Doris, a women’s shelter in Montreal. She highlighted the growing number of homeless women and the lack of adequate shelter spaces, putting women at higher risk on the streets.
Community development coordinator Alex Desjardins at Chez Doris emphasized the vulnerability of homeless women to violence, including sexual exploitation, which often deters them from seeking medical assistance.
In response to these issues, Chez Doris has established a clinic within the shelter staffed by volunteer medical professionals to provide essential care on-site. The Quebec government plans to implement a province-wide strategy to combat homelessness, allocating $28 million to expedite measures in the most affected regions, including Greater Montreal, Quebec City, and the Outaouais region.
