05/03/2026
507 Homeless Deaths Recorded in B.C. in 2024, Drug Overdoses the Leading Cause
The B.C. Coroners Service released an updated report on April 24, 2026, covering deaths of individuals experiencing homelessness from 2016 to 2024. It recorded 507 deaths in 2024 alone, bringing the nine-year total to 2,501. Accidental drug overdoses accounted for 78 per cent of deaths in 2024, or 396 of the 507 cases. Three-quarters of those who died were men, and 75 per cent fell between the ages of 30 and 59.
By health authority, Island Health recorded the highest number of deaths in 2024 at 129, followed by Fraser Health at 121. By region, Vancouver had the most with 85, followed by Surrey at 44, and both Greater Victoria and Nanaimo at 36 each. About 49 per cent of those who died were unsheltered and 30 per cent were sheltered. Winter months - January, February, and December - accounted for the highest share of deaths at 28 per cent.
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Sources:
B.C. Coroners Service (Statistical Reports):
www2. gov. bc. ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/statistical-reports
Vancouver Island Free Daily:
vancouverislandfreedaily. com/2026/04/29/507-people-died-while-experiencing-homelessness-in-b-c-in-2024-report/
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