New data reveals 1 homeless person dies every 10 days in Hamilton

The Hamilton Homeless Mortality Data Project has released new numbers that the group says show on average over the last year — one homeless person is dying on our streets every 10 days.

In its latest data set, between December 1 and may 31, the group recorded 14 deaths, but say the number could be higher as they don’t always receive timely reports of every death.

For this latest set of data, the average age at death is 43 which the group says is alarmingly low.

Fifty-seven per cent of individuals died of an overdose, but 42 per cent have an unknown cause of death, and the group says that’s because they need more information from homelessness groups and the Ontario Coroner’s Office to determine the causes of death.

Gessie Stearns says more information would make the causes of death better understood, thereby, allowing policy makers to make more informed choices and possibly save lives.

The group has been approved to receive reports from the coroner’s office but no formal relationship exists yet.

It also relies on anonymous reports from people working with the homeless, and encourages anyone who wants to share information to contact the group.