Multnomah County today released the fourth “Domicile Unknown” report. The Health Department’s annual review of homeless deaths finds that 56 people died on the streets in 2014.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner and the Multnomah County Medical Examiners are responsible for investigating all sudden, unexpected, violent, suspicious or unattended deaths. Since 2011, the Health Department has worked with the medical examiners to capture those cases in which people were likely homeless.
The “Domicile Unknown” analysis was launched through a collaboration between Chair Deborah Kafoury and Street Roots Community Newspaper. The report is intended to identify areas where resources and policies can be directed to save lives.
In the four years since the tally began, 191 people who were experiencing homelessness have died. The figure is most likely an undercount as it does not capture those who died in hospital emergency departments.
The lack of affordable local housing, the opiate epidemic and the persistent challenges of mental illness and addiction are contributing causes of deaths that could otherwise be prevented, said Deborah Kafoury, Chair of the Multnomah County Commission.
“The numbers leave no doubt,’’ said Chair Kafoury. “Housing is a matter of life and death.”
The report includes recommendations by Chair Kafoury and Israel Bayer, Street Roots executive director. They focus on boosting mental health and addictions outreach, linking people to downtown medical care and case management and additional housing for those with severe mental illness.
The report is dedicated to those who died and their families, including the family of James Michael Bostick. His mother, Krista Carol Campbell, discussed her son's death for the report.
"If there ever was a reminder that we have a housing crisis and a homeless emergency on our streets — this should be it,'' said Bayer of Street Roots. "Dozens of people are literally dying on our streets each and every year. We must act boldly and offer our residents a safe to call home."You can read the report here.
