A study conducted by researchers at the Université de Sherbrooke has revealed a dramatic rise in fatalities among Quebec's unhoused population, with deaths increasing by 180 percent between 2020 and 2024. The analysis, which represents the first systematic compilation of yearly mortality data for people without stable housing in the province, highlights a stark upward trend over the four-year period.
The research team assembled records of deaths among individuals experiencing homelessness across Quebec, tracking yearly totals to establish a baseline for future monitoring. By comparing figures from the start of the study period in 2020 with those recorded in 2024, the investigators identified the steep increase, underscoring a growing public health concern.
While the study does not attribute the rise to specific causes, the magnitude of the increase suggests that existing support systems may be insufficient to address the vulnerabilities faced by the unhoused community. The data provides policymakers and service providers with a clearer picture of mortality trends, offering a factual foundation for potential interventions.
The findings arrive at a time when homelessness remains a persistent issue in Quebec, with advocacy groups calling for expanded shelter capacity, health services, and preventive measures. By delivering the first comprehensive yearly death count for this demographic, the Université de Sherbrooke researchers aim to fill a gap in knowledge that has previously limited the ability to gauge the full impact of homelessness on public health.
The study's authors hope that the newly documented statistics will inform future research and guide resource allocation to mitigate the rising death toll among Quebec's unhoused residents.