“Behind every statistic lies a person”
about the research
In Quebec, obtaining a clear picture of deaths occurring in the context of homelessness—both in terms of numbers and trends—remains challenging. While all deaths are currently required to be reported, there is no mechanism to indicate whether the deceased were experiencing homelessness. Currently, the primary method for identifying such deaths relies on coroner’s reports, which, since 2020, include a checkbox to specify the homelessness status of individuals.
The data from the Bureau du coroner du Québec is a valuable source of information for advancing knowledge, but it does not fully capture the scope of mortality in homelessness. Several situations fall outside this registry, particularly when a death does not undergo a formal investigation or when the person’s homelessness status is not identified in the coroner’s report. This limitation hinders our collective ability to fully grasp the causes, trends, and magnitude of homelessness-related mortality—and, consequently, limits our ability to prevent avoidable deaths.
That said, a second phase of this research aims to implement a reporting form for deaths occurring in homelessness in Quebec. Inspired by a practice introduced in the City of Toronto in 2017, this initiative would enable frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and members of the deceased’s entourage—who are aware of or witness such deaths—to report these cases. This would provide deeper insight into this reality in Quebec.
In summary, this research is structured around two complementary components:
First Research Component
This component aims to document mortality among people experiencing homelessness using coroner’s reports from 2020 onward. The goal is to paint a comprehensive picture of homelessness-related mortality in Quebec, as well as to analyze the causes and circumstances of these deaths. By doing so, the research seeks to bring to light a reality that often remains unseen.
Homelessness encompasses a range of realities, including:
- Living on the streets (e.g., encampments, vehicles, abandoned buildings, or commercial entrances);
- Frequenting emergency shelters;
- Living in community housing (e.g., with permanent or transitional community support);
- Temporary housing with relatives, acquaintances, or family.
Second Research Component
This component focuses on implementing a reporting form for deaths in homelessness in Quebec, designed to enrich the first component—which relies solely on coroner’s reports. Its objectives are to:
- Test a community-based approach to recording deaths in homelessness through a dedicated reporting form.
- Enhance our understanding of the causes and circumstances surrounding deaths in homelessness.
This reporting form provides the community with a way to recognize individuals whose deaths are too often rendered invisible. It also helps improve our collective understanding of mortality related to homelessness, strengthen our capacity to act, and prevent avoidable deaths.
Behind the data lie lives, journeys, and affected communities
Furthermore, to address concerns from the field, the reporting form allows for capturing the impact of these deaths on the community—particularly on people experiencing homelessness and frontline workers—and helps identify support needs to better assist the community in coping with the increasing loss.
"The invisibility of deaths among people experiencing homelessness perpetuates social inequalities. It is crucial to maximize our collective efforts to prevent irreparable harm."
If you have any further questions regarding this initiative, please fill out this form so that a member of the research team can contact you.