At least 400 people experiencing homelessness died in Quebec between 2020 and 2024, and the rise has been most pronounced among women, officials say.
The tally, compiled from provincial records, marks a sharp increase in mortality within the province’s homeless community over the past five years. While the total number of deaths reached four hundred, the data highlight that women constitute a disproportionate share of the recent surge.
Public health and social service agencies have been monitoring the trend, noting that the upward trajectory contrasts with earlier periods when overall deaths among the homeless were lower. The five‑year span saw the number of fatalities climb steadily, prompting concerns about the vulnerability of those without stable housing.
Women experiencing homelessness face particular risks, according to the figures, though the report does not break down the exact proportion of female deaths. The heightened impact on women aligns with broader observations that gender‑specific challenges—such as exposure to violence, limited access to health care, and inadequate shelter options—can exacerbate danger for female individuals without permanent residence.
Provincial authorities have not released detailed analyses beyond the aggregate count, but the sharp rise has been acknowledged as a pressing public health issue. Stakeholders in the social sector point to the need for targeted interventions, yet the report refrains from outlining specific policy responses.
The period from 2020 to 2024 therefore represents a critical window in which the mortality gap for Quebec’s homeless population widened, with women bearing the brunt of the increase. The data underscore a growing crisis that officials and community groups are now tasked with addressing.
The record of 400 deaths serves as a stark indicator of the escalating dangers faced by people without housing in Quebec, especially women, over the last five years.