Utah’s Homeless Death Rate Is Cause For Heavy Concern

A report from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) showed Utah's homelessness issue in a new light.  

The report is the first of its kind for Utah and takes a look at statistics from 2023, the DHHS said. Though lawmakers and cities have been trying to curb the issue for several years, it is by no means fixed and the homeless population in Utah suffers.  

Findings from the DHHS show a higher mortality rate in Utah’s homeless population than the general population. People who are experiencing homeless are at 10 times the rate of death compared to the general population, the report said. 

Not only that but people in the homeless community are dying around 16 years younger than Utah’s overall population. The average age of death is 72 while those who are part of the homeless community die around age 56. 

Things like suicides, accidents and homicides directly impact the death rate for the homeless population at 50%, the DHHS said. For the general population, it's only 11% of deaths in the state.  

Substance abuse is also an issue that the homeless community in Utah faces. Though the DHHS said most of the substance abuse related deaths were accidents (35%), it's a significantly higher number than the general populations (5%). 

The DHHS compiled some recommendations for addressing the death rate of Utah’s homeless populations.  

• “Low barrier housing options”. Housing that is accessible to the homeless population and comes with medical assistance.  

•  Healthcare and substance abuse options. 

• Collaboration between healthcare funders and providers to better serve the community. 

• Better collaboration between those who provide relief services to the homeless population.  

• A homelessness mortality review to monitor the factors that impact death.