New report shows record-high homeless deaths in Multnomah County in 2023 [Video]

PORTLAND, Ore. — At least 456 homeless people died in 2023 in Multnomah County, according to a new report released Friday morning. The county pointed to a record-high number of fentanyl-related deaths, aligning with data on the national level.

The number of deaths in 2023 is the highest since the Multnomah County Health Department started its analysis in 2011, and it’s a 45% increase over the more than 315 deaths reported in 2022.

On average, 38 people died each month. The average age of death was 46 years old — about 30 years younger than the current life expectancy in the U.S. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of deaths among homeless people that the medical examiner has investigated increased 37% on average every year.

Substance abuse was leading cause of death

Deaths related …