Homeless deaths dropped in San Diego County for the 1st time in a decade
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Deaths among unhoused people in San Diego County have been rising for nearly a decade. Photo: Ariana Drehsler/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The number of people experiencing homelessness who died last year dropped for the first time in a decade, San Diego County data shows.
Why it matters: The decline comes as the region's homeless population continues to grow and the death rate has exploded in recent years.
By the numbers: At least 495 unhoused residents died in 2024, according to preliminary county data.
- That's down from 626 in 2023, which marked the highest count in the last decade.
- Drugs were involved in 45% of deaths in 2024, though dozens of cases are still being investigated.
- More than 10,600 people across the county were experiencing homelessness early last year.
Caveat: The death toll is likely higher because the medical examiner does not document all cases, including when individuals are hospitalized or under the care of a doctor and die of natural causes.
The big picture: Unhoused people — especially those living outside — are much more likely to experience premature deaths, research shows.
- They have high rates of chronic illnesses, substance abuse disorders and other conditions that are hard to treat without steady housing, Axios' Jessica Boehm reports.
Zoom in: Dozens of people died from natural causes or after being stuck by motor vehicles, but drug use was by far the most prevalent contributing factor in homeless deaths in San Diego County last year.
- Both the percentage and number of drug-related cases declined significantly from 2023, making it a driving force behind the overall drop countywide.
- That mirrors the national trend of fatal drug overdoses declining in 2024 — that's overall, not just among homeless individuals.
Between the lines: Experts attribute at least some of the improvement to the availability and affordability of naloxone, a nasal spray medication that reverses opioid overdoses, and test strips that can identify fentanyl in street drugs.
- People can find free Narcan and fentanyl test strips in vending machines around the region.
Reality check: While better treatment options have saved lives, local experts suggest drug-related deaths may also be lower because so many people have already overdosed, The Union-Tribune reported.
- "A lot of the most vulnerable people are no longer here," Tara Stamos-Buesig, founder and CEO of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego, told the U-T.
The intrigue: Homelessness is still rising across California, but at a slower pace than other parts of the country.
- There was also a local shift in November, with more people exiting homelessness than entering it countywide.