Deaths of homeless people in B.C. rose by 75% in 2021: Coroner

Deaths of homeless people in B.C. rose by 75% in 2021: Coroner | iNFOnews.ca
B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe speaks during a press conference in the press gallery at the Legislature in Victoria, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021. The BC Coroners Service says deaths of homeless people in the province jumped 75 per cent in 2021 compared to the year before. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VANCOUVER – The BC Coroners Service says deaths of homeless people in the province jumped 75 per cent in 2021 compared with the year before.

A preliminary report released by the service shows there were 247 deaths of people experiencing homelessness last year.

Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says many homeless people are facing significant health concerns, including physical disabilities, mental-health challenges and substance-use issues.

The report says 93 per cent of all accidental deaths among people experiencing homelessness were caused by the illicit drug supply.

The coroners service says an average of 153 homeless people have died between 2016 and 2020.

The release of the report coincides with Homelessness Action Week in B.C.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 12, 2022.

News from © iNFOnews.ca, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

Marshall Jones

News is best when it's local, relevant, timely and interesting. That's our focus every day.

We are on the ground in Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops to bring you the stories that matter most.

Marshall may call West Kelowna home, but after 16 years in local news and 14 in the Okanagan, he knows better than to tell readers in other communities what is "news' to them. He relies on resident reporters to reflect their own community priorities and needs. As the newsroom leader, his job is making those reporters better, ensuring accuracy, fairness and meeting the highest standards of journalism.

Related Articles