Over 450 homeless people died in B.C. in 2023, according to coroner

The annual death toll of people experiencing homelessness in British Columbia has nearly tripled in just a four-year period, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.

A new report says at least 458 homeless people died in 2023, up 23 per cent from the year before, when 373 died. The new toll was also nearly three times the 155 deaths reported in 2020.

Since 2016, 1,940 homeless people have died in B.C., according to chief coroner Dr. Jatinder Baidwan.

"The data speaks to the tragic reality of the struggles many face in our communities throughout B.C.," he said in a statement.

Homeless deaths appear to be closely related to the toxic drug crisis. 

According to the coroners service, of the 458 homeless deaths recorded in 2023:

• 86 per cent were due to "accidental unregulated drug toxicity."

• 91 per cent were classified as "accidental."

• More than half were between the ages of 30 and 49.

• 79 per cent were male.

The number of deaths held mostly steady between 2016 and 2020, with an average of 162 per year, before rising sharply in 2021, according to the data.

In 2023, Fraser Health was the region with the highest number of deaths at 117, followed by Island Health with 114, Vancouver Coastal Health at 95, Interior Health with 86 and Northern Health with 46.

The report defines homelessness within a range of situations, from someone living outdoors or in a make-shift shelter or vehicle, to those staying in emergency or short-term shelters, safe homes or transition houses.

The largest one-year increase was recorded by Island Health, with fatalities rising from 74 in 2022 to 114 in 2023.

The coroners service said the report is based on preliminary data that could change as new information becomes available. 

CBC News requested an interview with Baidwan, but he was not available.