The Hamilton Homeless Mortality Data Project says they’ve learned of 25 deaths people among Hamilton’s homeless population between December 2023 and May 2024.
“The cumulative mortality count from June 2021 to May 2024 now includes 116 recorded deaths – this continues to represent an average of 1 death every 10 days. The deadliest month for this period was January, where 7 people died – on average 1 person every 4.5 days,” states a release from the McMaster University researchers leading the project.
The researchers state 16 of those who died “were reported to be living unsheltered – outdoors – at the time of their death.”
“During this same period of December 2023-May 2024, the City of Hamilton’s rough estimates indicate that approximately 200 people were living outside. If so, these 16 deaths represent 8% of the total population of people outside in Hamilton during this 6-month period.”
They state, “overdose continues to be the leading cause of death among the individuals we learned about.”
Tomorrow, Hamilton City Council will debate creating a sanctioned encampment site at the Barton-Tiffany lands.
Production Details v. 1.0.0 Published: September 16, 2024 Last updated: September 16, 2024 Author: Joey Coleman Update Record v. 1.0.0 original version